With just a few weeks left in the start of the new QNB Stars League, the players and clubs have kicked off their preparations with high hopes for the first phase of the new football season in Qatar.

With the scheduled start of the 2018-19 season set for third week of August, the QNB Stars League outfits have announced lengthy training camps across Europe as teams eye full fitness before the first kick off.

For most teams the official preparations will kick off on July 1 with aims of making a strong start to their respective campaigns in what is expected to be a tough and long season.

With teams looking for better results and a possible presence in next year's AFC Champions League, the QNB Stars League teams will attempt to finish in the top four - a position that guarantees a spot in the Qatar Cup. 

A fierce battle could also be expected among teams that do want to be in the relegation zone.

With extended training camps in Europe, the teams clearly look to arrive for the first match of the season in pristine fitness and decent amount of match practice to launch the first phase of the 2018-19 season in absolute readiness.

The teams will also try to consolidate their overseas signings of players and coaches in the coming days and weeks. Most of the clubs have announced their players and coaching rosters for the new season. Travel plans of the teams have also been announced.

Much emphasis has been laid on the training camps across Europe as teams are well aware of helping their players - free from rest in the off-season - to hit the right note in terms of fitness and match practice. 

Physical fitness of the players has drastically improved over the last decade with teams organizing high intensity fitness drills in their training camps in the pre-season phase.

With QNB Stars League teams also featuring in the AFC Champions League every season, the fitness levels have undergone massive improvement allowing players to be active during matches for longer periods of time.  It is expected that the backroom staff at all the clubs will look for similar or better results from their players ahead of the new season.

The new football season will kick off with the Sheikh Jassim Cup - a one-off match that will feature Al Duhail and Al Rayyan - on August 1, 2018. Al Duhail were the runaway winners last season, clinching the QNB Stars League title, the Qatar Cup and the prestigious Amir Cup.

With the start of the QNB Stars League set for third week of August, the teams will spend every effort in getting ready for the new season when they arrive for their training camps in Europe in July. 

By the end of July, the QNB Stars League teams will finalize their playing squad for the new season by completing player signings and announcement of coaches. The next four to five weeks will be of great importance to QNB Stars League outfits aiming for stronger results in the new season. 

The teams and the players know a positive start usually lays the foundation for better endings when the regular football season winds up in April.