The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: Al Sadd yesterday defeated Muaither 3-2 in a friendly as clubs continued their preparations for the Expo Stars League (ESL) resumption on Saturday, following a break for more than two months.
The Qatar top flight took a pause on December 21 after the completion of Round 12 as Qatar hosted the AFC Asian Cup which the home team won after beating Jordan in the final on February 10.
Al Sadd, who are holding a four-point lead at the top of the table, geared up for the restart with a win at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium with Algerian striker Baghdad Bounedjah also scoring on return after appearing in the African Cup of Nations.
Al Wakrah’s Geslon Dala in action during a friendly against Al Ahli earlier this week. The Blue Waves will meet Al Sadd on Sunday.
Al Sadd have 31 points from 10 wins and a draw, and in their first match after the break they will face a challenge from second-placed Al Wakrah at Al Janoub Stadium on Sunday.
Wesam Rizik-coached Al Sadd, missing their key players featuring in the Asian Cup, did not play many friendlies but Al Wakrah took advantage of the break appearing in five friendlies as they played against Dynamo Moscow, Slovakia’s Bratislava and Armenian side Noah besides ESL rivals Muaither and Al Ahli.
The Blue Waves also signed three players including Dutchman Adam Maher from Saudi Arabia’s Damac, Abdulaziz Metwaly from Al Shamal and Khaled Ali from Al Rayyan during the transfer window.
A Gharafa, who are placed third on the table, played six friendly matches including a game against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, which they lost 1-2.
The Cheetahs will meet Al Ahli while Muaither and Al Markhiya will square off in Saturday’s late matches after the newly-crowned Ooredoo Cup champions Umm Salal and Qatar SC will resume the League with a game at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium.
Occupying fourth place in the standings, Al Rayyan played six friendly matches including yesterday’s game against Qatar SC, which they lost 2-3.
The Lions are five points behind Al Wakrah and Al Gharafa, who are tied on 27 points each. They will meet Al Shamal at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Sunday with defending champions Al Duhail and Amir Cup winners Al Arabi also meeting the same day at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.
Younes Ali’s Al Arabi played three friendlies while Al Duhail took part in the Equality Cup in Doha during the break. The Dream Team are fifth on the table and they are ahead of Al Duhail on goal difference as both teams have 17 points each.
Umm Salal are on 15 points followed by Qatar SC and Al Ahli, who have 12 points each. Al Shamal are 10th with 11 points, Muaither 11th place with six points and Al Markhiya are on the bottom with four points.