This last Wednesday’s file photo shows action during the Sheikh Jassim Cup final between Al Duhail and Al Rayyan. Al Duhail are hoping to bounce back from their defeat last week and start their QSL title defence on a winning note.
DOHA: Shrugging off their Sheikh Jassim Cup defeat, Al Duhail are keen to start their QNB Stars League (QSL) on a winning note as they take on Al Shahania in their opening match today at Khalifa International Stadium.
Al Duhail, under Djamel Belmadi dominated the entire 2017-18 season and they are looking for a repeat show in the new season under new boss Nabil Maaloul – the FIFA 2018 World Cup coach of Tunisia.
The Red Knights remained unbeaten throughout the last QSL season, winning 19 matches while drawing three games. They also clinched the Amir Cup and Qatar Cup to complete the prestigious treble.
“We will give our best to retain the titles,” Maaloul said adding that his team trained well for the new season.
“We have reached the fifth week of preparations and we are ready for the new season. We are facing Second Division champions Al Shahania first and certainly the confrontation will be difficult even though we are the defending champions”.
He felt the team will get fair match practice before their AFC Champions League quarter-final clash against Iran’s Persepolis.
“We also have games against Al Khor and Al Rayyan before clash against Persepolis. We will try to build on our strengths and take the positives, that we had in the previous seasons to our advantage.” “We have a number of new players and we will try to keep achieving positive results. For that matter, all teams are ready for the competition.”
The former Tunisa coach also expressed confidence in his team hoping that the players will bounce back after losing to Al Rayyan on penalties in the Sheikh Jassim Cup final last week.
“Al Duhail could have put it across Al Rayyan in the Sheikh Jassim Cup. We missed many easy chances and Al Rayyan managed to score a goal in regular time despite having less possession of the ball. We suffered the same fate in this tournament last season also, but came back strongly and won three titles.”
“(Karim) Boudiaf’s injury is fortunately a minor one and he will hopefully return to the side quickly, in time for the Persepolis game. He is an influential player and playmaker, and a good link between the defenders and midfielders.
Meanwhile, Al Shahania coach Jose Murcia hoped his team will give a good fight to Al Duhail in their opening match.
“We did a good job in the pre-season camp. We hope to build on our strong preparations and do a good job on our return to the QNB Stars League.
“We retained the services of all our overseas professional players even though we have added some new Qatari players to the squad. I hope they gel well with the foreign recruits sooner rather than later. I am sure they will combine well and lift their game when it matters the most.
“We will try to improve our game after every week and thus provide a good level of football. I have great confidence in our players. They are a spirited lot.
“I coached the team in the Second Division and know the players well. Even though the top flight is a different ball game altogether, we are upbeat about our prospects,” said Murcia.
