The countdown to 2021-2022 QNB Stars League has begun even as the clubs are eagerly continuing their preparations for the season’s competitions after returning from their overseas camps, where they sought to achieve maximum technical and physical benefits for the players.

Against this backdrop, we are highlighting the pre-season preparations made by each of the 12 teams.

UMM SALAL

Umm Salal are determined to put up a strong fight this season having had a dismal campaign in the last two seasons and that has prompted the team management to make many changes.

The Orange Fortress managed to finish only 10th last season and they are  seeking to make a turnaround in their fortunes this time around. And they have the will to make a strong comeback in the tournament.

Since the 2013 season, Umm Salal were strong contenders for the top-four finish and always occupied the fifth to seventh positions, until the 2019 season, which witnessed the beginning of their decline, when they came ninth and then 10th in the last two seasons, results which did not augur well with them.

This time, Umm Salal recruited Brazilian coach Sergio Farias and new professional players with the aim of putting behind the disappointments and improving their image that has taken a beating in the last three seasons.

The task is undoubtedly difficult, especially since the competition is becoming more tougher. Certainly, the first goal and the biggest ambition of Umm Salal in the 2021-2022 season will be to move away from the battle for survival and avoid relegation.

Signing three foreign professionals

Umm Salal made drastic changes at the level of foreign professional players after offloading Brazilian Kayke Rodriguez, Iranian Rozbeh Jashmi and Moroccan Ahmed Hammoudan, and retained two professionals –  Nigerian Moses Orkuma and Tunisian Aymen Abdennour.

Umm Salal roped in three foreign professionals – Yaseen Al Bakhit (Jordanian), Isael Barbosa (Brazilian), and Aymen Hussein (Iraqi).

Nine new deals

Umm Salal signed nine players in the local transfer market this season – Syed Hassan (Al Sailiya), Abdulrahman Fayez (Al Gharafa), Khaled Abdulrouf (Qatar SC), Khalifa Abubakr (Al Duhail), Ali Ferydoon (Al Shamal), Ali Al Yazidi, Saud Al Anazi, Mahmoud Nader (Al Rayyan) and Mukhtar Ali (Muaither SC).

Brazilian coach for the first time

Ahead of this season, Umm Salal signed Brazilian coach Sergio Farias, who has a good track record of titles, most notably the 2009 AFC Champions League triumph with Korean side Pohang Steelers, who also won the Korean league under him.

It is for the first time that Umm Salal are engaging a Brazilian coach after they opted for French and Dutch coaches for a long time. They were Frenchman Laurent Banide, who helped them win the Amir Cup in 2008, then Gerard Gili, Alain Perrin, Bertrand Marshand, Moroccan Hassan Hormatulla, Dutchman Henk ten Cate, Turkish Bulent Uygun, Egyptian Mahmoud Jaber, and Moroccans Talal El Karkouri and Aziz Ben Askar.

Statistics

Umm Salal’s statistics in the past seasons were not that satisfactory and the team’s offensive aspect was the weakest among all teams in the last two seasons.

In the 2019-2020 QNB Stars League, Umm Salal scored only 18 goals over 22 matches. Last season, they occupied the 10th place in the final standings, scoring only 13 goals in 22 matches, compared to 17 goals each for 11-placed Al Khor and bottom-placed Al Kharaitiyat, who were relegated to the Second Division.

Turkey camp

Umm Salal held their pre-season training camp in Turkey from 12th to 29th August and played five friendly matches, against Fethiyespor, Al Kuwait, Kuwait’s Al Shabab, and Libyan and Kuwaiti teams.

Campaign start against Al Rayyan

Umm Salal will start their QNB Stars League campaign against Al Rayyan, followed by their matches against Al Khor, Al Ahli and Al Gharafa.