The Qatar Stars League kicks back into life on Thursday evening when Al Ahli will face Al Gharafa in the first game of the domestic season. Both sides will be looking to grab an early victory and to build solid foundations for the season ahead.

Al Ahli, Qatar’s oldest football club will head into the first game of the season after enjoying a good preseason under new coach Luka Bonačić. The Croatian coach was brought in at the end of the season, and is no stranger to the QSL, after enjoying a stint with Al Shahania. The 61 year old will be charged with improving the fortunes of the brigadiers who finished strongly in sixth place last season.   

In terms of personnel, the club has been relatively quiet in the transfer market electing for stability over change. Despite the stability, Al Ahli is expected to announce the signing of a foreign professional in the coming days before the start of the season.

The Brigadiers will be relying on the goals of Congolese striker Firmin Ndombe Mubele if they are to grab all three points. The young attacker is set to start his second season in the QSL, and will be looking to better his eight goal tally from last term.

As for Al Gharafa, they have enjoyed an extended preseason under head coach Pedro Caixinia in Portugal and Doha. The charismatic Portuguese tactician was rewarded with a contract extension last year, and will be charged with pushing the Cheetahs back into the top four places.

In the transfer market, Gharafa have made a move for South Korean international Kooky Han who was signed from relegated Qatar Sports Club. In an exclusive interview earlier in the summer Caixina underlined the importance of the player for his team.

 “Han is a real box to box midfielder he is constantly involved with the game and gives us plenty of pace moving forward and defending. We are much more balanced in the heart of the midfield now and Han will help us inforce the patterns of play that we want here at Gharafa.” Han will have to be at his dynamic best if the Cheetahs are to grab all three points away from home.

It promises to be an interesting early season encounter when Al Ahli face off against Al Gharafa on Thursday the 15^th of September, KO at 18:00 at Al Ahli stadium.