The QNB Stars League has taken a long break and it is Ooredoo Cup time again. The Round 2 fixtures will be held on Friday, 15th November (three matches in Group A), and Saturday, 16th November (three matches in Group B).

The fixtures are Al Wakrah vs Umm Salal (16:00) at Al Ahli Stadium, Al Rayyan vs Al Ahli (18:10) at Al Ahli Stadium and Al Sadd vs Al Shahania (18:10) at Al Khor Stadium on Friday (Group A), Al Gharafa vs Qatar SC (16:00) at Al Ahli Stadium, Al Arabi vs Al Sailiya (18:10) at Al Wakrah Stadium and Al Duhail vs Al Khor (18:10) at Al Khor Stadium on Saturday (Group B).

Al Wakrah and Qatar SC are leading Group A and B respectively with three points each.

Al Wakrah are followed by Al Rayyan, Al Ahli, Umm Salal, Al Shahania and Al Sadd in that order in Group A.

Al Gharafa are second in Group B, followed by Al Duhail, Al Arabi, Al Khor and Al Sailiya in that order.

In Round 1 Group A action on 11th October, Al Sadd lost 1-5 to Al Wakrah, Al Ahli beat Umm Salal 2-0 and Al Shahania lost 0-3 to Al Rayyan.

In Round 1 Group B action on 12th October, Al Khor drew 1-1 with Al Arabi, Al Sailiya lost 0-4 to Qatar SC and Al Duhail drew 2-2 with Al Gharafa.

The Ooredoo Cup, formerly QSL Cup, provides younger players with more playing time and exposure. The tournament, which has a group-cum-knockout format, offers new opportunities for sponsors, partners and stakeholders to highlight their brands.

First-team players, Under-23 players and Under-19 players can compete in the tournament.

All 12 QNB Stars League teams are divided into two groups and the top four sides from each group will progress to the knockout quarterfinals.

Al Gharafa are the reigning champions. They beat Al Duhail 1-0 in last edition’s final. Al Gharafa had triumphed in the previous season as well.

Even though the teams will miss some of their international players who will do duty for their countries during the break, the tournament is a good opportunity for them to make up for the lapses and prepare for the tough times ahead in the QNB Stars League, where Al Duhail are leading the table, followed by Al Rayyan, Al Gharafa and Al Sadd in the top bracket after 10 rounds.