Qatar Stars League will resume its 2019/20 season this weekend, after a long a forced break due to the novel coronavirus.
Finally, signs of football from the Gulf are here, as the local competition of the 2022 World Cup hosts will kick-off its 18th matchday with the two games on Friday, July 24th.
After a month of intensive preparation, which included tests of players and staff, quarantining in hotels and training under strict precautionary measures, it’s time.
Five rounds are remaining in the season, and all matches will take place at Al Janoub and Al Sadd Stadiums, both possessing cooling technology for the player to cope the heat.
After years of competition between Al-Sadd and Al-Duhail, this year, this the latter is comfortably leading the table, while the Whites are chasing Al-Rayyan in a desperate attempt to save something from this season.
During the break, both Al-Sadd and Al-Duhail made some exciting changes.
The Saddawys has managed to sign Xavi Hernandez on a new contract, what will see the Spanish magician continue with the team for at least another season, until the time for him to take the helm at his native club FC Barcelona, will arrive.
While Al-Sadd lost one Spaniard during the break, the former Atletico Madrid Gabi, Xavi made sure the talented Qatari powerhouse will have its ‘responsible Spanish’ adult on the field, with the exciting signing of Santi Cazorla. Cazorla, one of the most creative players in Spain in the past generation who emerged back from a severe injury in his Achilles tendon, had an emotional farewell from Villareal just 24 hours before he signed with the Gulf mega club. Cazorla is an excellent addition to the already existed quality in Al-Sadd’s team, with Akram Afif committing his future with the club as well.
Al-Duhail, on the other hand, didn’t watch from the side. Mario Mandzukic, the Croat superstar that joined the club last December, has left after a brief spell of two goals in 10 games. Instead of him, the club has made a massive deal bringing in the Brazilian attacking midfielder and winger, Dudu, from Palmeiras. Dudu, who was the captain of the Sao Paulo giants, is an excellent signing for the club who aspire to retain the title they lost to Al-Sadd last season.
Friday matches will include Al-Gharfa against host Al-Arabi and Qatar Sports Club versus Al-Rayyan.
Photo from the Qatar Stars League website.
