QNB Stars League side Umm Salal feel ready for challenges in the news season that kicks off across the country in less than a month.

Umm Salal, one of the consistent sides in recent years, finished last season in fifth place behind Al Duhail, Al Sadd, Al Rayyan and Al Gharafa among the league 12 teams.

With coach Laurent Banide managing the show for the team, Umm Salal will be delighted to have the services of Nigerian forward Christian Osaguona following Osama Darraji's departure.

Umm Salal clearly will be aiming for a top-four finish just as they did in the 2006-2007 season when they finished behind Al Sadd, Al Gharafa and Al Rayyan.

Under 50-year-old Banide, Umm Salal clinched the Amir Cup in the 2007-08 season and reached the AFC Champions League semi-finals in their first appearance in the continental event.

When the new season kicks off, none of the top sides will take Umm Salal lightly as Banide's team have robust attackers and watertight defense.

With Banide back at the helm, Umm Salal will be eager to get cracking at the opponents in the new season. Banide will know a positive start will make things easier for Umm Salal.

Umm Salal will be feeling confident having retained the services of Yannick Sagbo, the Ivory Coast striker who loves scoring goals. Umm Salal also retained Syrian Mahmoud Al-Mawas and Moroccan Adel Rahili to join Osaguona in the front.

Umm Salal also have strong players like midfielder Laurence Olli, defender Bilal Mohammed and goalkeeper Sami Sabit. Nasser Al Nasr has returned on loan from Al Markhiya.

Umm Salal have left for Slovenia for their pre-season training camp that will end on July 25. During the pre-season training camp, Banide's side is scheduled to play four friendly matches with Slovenian and Turkish teams.

The new QNB Stars League season kicks off on August 4.