Rui Faria.
Six-time champions Al Duhail begin their QNB Stars League (QSL) campaign when they take on Qatar SC at the Al Janoub Stadium today. The match kicks off at 7.30pm.
The team took part in their final training session on the eve of the clash under the supervision of their Portuguese tactician Rui Faria.
Faria will be keen to leave their worries behind, following three consecutive defeats against Al Sadd, coached by Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez.
Al Duhail lost both of their AFC Champions League round of 16 matches to Al Sadd before going down fighting in the Sheikh Jassim Cup final few days ago.
Speaking to media yesterday, Faria said that his team is ready to take Qatar SC.
“We’re ready to face Qatar SC. This is a new tournament and we will start off with a fresh mindset. However, we will miss some of our key players, but will have 11 players on the pitch who will do their best to collect full points, so that we make a strong start to the league,” he said.
“We will sorely miss Luis Martin, Assim Madibo, Mohammed Moussa, Ahmed Yasser and Mehdi Benatia. The QNB Stars League is different from the AFC Champions League,” Faria said.
Last season, Al Duhail finished second after winning back-to-back league titles in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons.
Meanwhile, Qatari forward Ismael Mohamed said that his team prepared strongly for the new season and that he wish to win the opening match and achieve a strong start in the league.
“Despite missing out on a number of key players in our team for the opening match, we hope to do well in tomorrow’s confrontation against Qatar SC,” he said.
