Al Arabi players train ahead of the resumption of the QNB Stars League.
Qatar Stars League (QSL) yesterday announced amendments to upcoming fixtures of the QNB Stars League with a number of players joining their respective national teams at the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup which will kick off on January 6.
The QNB Stars League resumes on Wednesday, following a long break due Qatar's immensely successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup.
The QSL yesterday said that a number of matches in the upcoming rounds of the 2022- 23 season of the League will be postponed in coordination with the clubs.
Accordingly, Week 8 matches will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, with only three matches set to take place.
Al Rayyan players during a training session, yesterday.
Week 9 matches will be played on Jan. 11 and 12, followed by the Week 10 fixtures which are set to take place on Jan. 17 and 18.
Al Duhail and Al Gharafa will kick off the eighth week at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium on Wednesday while Al Rayyan faces Al Sailiya at Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium.
Points leaders Al Arabi will meet Al Ahli at the same venue on Thursday.
The matches that were postponed are Umm Salal vs. Al Markhiya, Al Sadd vs. Qatar and Al Shamal vs. Al Wakrah.
The Al Markhiya vs. Al Shamal clash in Week 9 was also postponed.
In Week 10, Al Sailiya vs. Al Markhiya and Al Shamal vs. Umm Salal will be postponed to April 25 in case Gulf 25 hosts Iraq advanced to semi-finals.
Al Rayyan's new signing Shogo Taniguchi in action.
The Gulf 25 tournament will be played at two stadiums in the southern city of Basra - Basra International Stadium and Al Mina Stadium, over 13 days.
Al Arabi are surprise leaders of the League with 16 points after seven weeks of action, having won five matches, losing one and sharing points on one occasion.
Al Wakrah are on second spot with 15 points with four wins, and three draws, while Al Duhail are one point below them after winning four matches, losing one and drawing three.
Al Gharafa are fourth with 12 points.
Surprisingly, last season’s undisputed champions Al Sadd are currently at the ninth spot, winning on only two occasions, losing four matches and drawing one to make up their seven-point total, same as Umm Salal.
Former champions Al Rayyan who unveiled their new signing Japanese defender Shogo Taniguchi a few days ago, are at the bottom of the table.
