(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
Chinthana Wasala
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The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: Qatar's league football action will make its return on August 9 under its new brand name 'Ooredoo Stars League' (OSL), it was revealed yesterday.
The Qatar Stars League (QSL), the governing body of the 22-round competition, announced that the season will run until April 18, 2025.
The re-branded league tournament kicks off with last season's runners-up Al Rayyan facing off against Umm Salal at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium at 6:30 pm, while Al Khor will take on Al Gharafa at the Al Bayt Stadium at 8:30 pm later that same evening.
Al Rayyan who will travel to the Netherlands for their pre-season training camp on Wednesday, will look to assert their status as a top contender for silverware in the new season and start on a winning note.
Al Shamal, who managed to extend their stay in the top flight after winning and surviving the play-off, will also be looking to make an impact following their return from Austria where they will take part in a pre-season training camp under the guidance of their new Iranian coach Poya Asbaghi.
Al Gharafa, meanwhile, will target a better finish following an impressive third place last season. The cheetahs will train in Slovakia before returning on August 1, eight days before their opening clash.
The excitement will continue the next day, as Qatar SC take on former champions Al Duhail at the Khalifa International Stadium at 6:30 pm. The eight-time champions will aim for a better finish this time after failing to defend their title last season. Their opponents in the opening week, Qatar SC who earned a commendable fifth position last season, will try to start fresh after returning from their pre-season camp in Spain.
The second match on that day will see the reigning champions Al Sadd taking on Al Shamal at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium at 8:30 pm. The dominant Al Sadd side will be looking to start off once against as top favorites to win the title, while Al Shamal hopes to pull off an upset to get the season off to a fine start. Al Sadd, who have chosen Malaga, Spain, for their training camp, will return on July 29 to gear up for the opening clash.
On Sunday, August 11, two more exciting matches will be on the cards.
Al Wakrah will play against Al Ahli at the Al Janoub Stadium at 6:30 pm, before the opening week concludes with a late fixture between Al Arabi and Al Shahaniya at the Al Thumama Stadium at 8:30 pm.
The QSL also announced that the fixtures will be updated after Week 3 following the 2024-2025 AFC Champions League draw ceremony and by considering the participation of Qatari clubs in various Asian and Gulf tournaments.
It is noteworthy that Al Sadd and Al Rayyan will play in the newly announced AFC Champions League Elite tournament, while Al Gharafa will feature in a play-off match to earn a berth in the same.
Al Wakrah, meanwhile, will play in the AFC Champions League Two, and Al Arabi will compete in the 2024-2025 Gulf Champions League.
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