Al Gharafa will lock horns with Al Rayyan in Week 3 of the 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League at the Al Bayt Stadium on Friday, August 23, 2024. The kick-off is at 6.30pm.

Having suffered reversal in their respective previous rounds, both teams would go into the match focused on bagging the three valuable points. While Al Gharafa had lost 1-0 to Al Ahli in their previous round, Al Rayyan were beaten 4-0 by Al Duhail. The loss for The Lions came after they had made a winning start to the league, defeating Umm Salal 3-1 in the opening round. The Cheetahs are yet to register a win as they had lost their first match to newcomers Al Khor.

Given the capabilities of both Al Gharafa and Al Rayyan, their clash is expected to produce excitement and rivalry, especially since either sides have many distinguished players in all positions.

Al Rayyan had strengthened their ranks further during the summer transfer market adding the duo of Belgian midfielder Julian De Sart and Spanish defender David Garcia. Among other foreign professionals in the side, they have the presence of Rodrigo Moreno, Thiago Mendes, Gabriel Pereira and Andre Amaro in addition to striker Roger Guedes.

Al Rayyan’s Swedish coach Poya Asbaghi is hopeful that they will overcome the initial setback and would return to winning ways, and the team has the best to offer in the upcoming match.

Al Gharafa too have a formidable squad led by Spanish star Joselu, who has come from Real Madrid, and on whom the fans of The Cheetahs have high hopes – especially against Al Rayyan. They are hoping that he would lead the team to their first victory in the league this season.

Al Gharafa’s Portuguese coach Pedro Martins is counting on many of his distinguished stars, most notably new Romanian recruit Florinel Coman besides Tunisian midfielder Ferjani Sassi, and in defence South Korean Jang Hyun-Soo.

The contest, outside of the top four, is one of the most challenging between two teams that have a large fan base. It is therefore expected to produce a lot of excitement both on and off the field.