Clubs are continuing their preparations ahead of the resumption of 2019-20 QNB Stars League, with Week 18 matches starting on 24th July. The tournament, which had a long break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will resume as per the general plan and protocol for the remaining five rounds. Teams are fighting to occupy the top positions, improve their rankings and avoid the ignominy of relegation.

The Qatar Stars League (QSL) website highlights each team and their preparations ahead of the resumption of competitions.

Qatar SC

Qatar SC, coached by former Qatar international midfielder Wesam Rizik, are bracing for the remainder of the season with high focus. They will play Al Rayyan in Week 18 at the Al Sadd Stadium on 24th July, 2020. The kick-off is at 19:00.

Qatar SC are ninth in the QNB Stars League standings with 17 points. The Kings have four victories, five draws and eight defeats against their name with a goal difference of -6, having scored 16 goals and conceded 22.

Qatar SC had drawn 2-2 with Al Ahli in Week 17 on 7th March before the long break.

The team’s performance improved considerably ever since Wesam took charge, replacing Spanish coach Carlos Alos Ferrer, under whom they dropped many points.

A string of positive results enabled Qatar SC to move away from the danger zone as they are now three points clear of both Al Khor and Umm Salal, and seven ahead of bottom-placed Al Shahania.

Following their first coronavirus test, held as per the protocol developed by the QSL in co-ordination with club authorities and approved by the Ministry of Public Health, Qatar SC squad members entered their team hotel and got engaged in training.

After their second coronavirus test, the players as well as technical and administrative staff signed a pledge to abide by the protocol for leaving team hotel for home quarantine.

Qatar SC are counting on players such as Abdelnasser Al Khayati, Sardor Rashidov, Kayke Rodriguez, Jassim Al Hail, Ali Awad and Ahmed Moein.

Wesam’s wards will try to take all those factors to their advantage in their bid to earn a creditable finish in the tournament.

Besides intense training, they are readying for the resumption of action by playing friendlies. They lost 1-2 to Al Duhail in one such game.

Qatar SC’s other remaining matches in the QNB Stars League are against Umm Salal (Week 19), Al Shahania (Week 20), Al Sadd (Week 21) and Al Arabi (Week 22).