Aspire4Sport 2013 wrap up

Aspire4Sport Exhibition and Conference, the Middle East’s leading sports business convention, wrapped up its fourth annual edition yesterday as it announced record-breaking attendance levels.

Approximately 200 exhibitors took part, generating a remarkable 45% increase in revenue compared to last year, while visitors were up to 30 percent with 8000 more in attendance.

The convention, hosted by the Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) and held at the Aspire Dome, was inaugurated on Saturday by His Excellency Salah Bin Ghanem Al Ali, Qatar’s Minister of Youth and Sport. Four days of high-level sports business discussions and networking sessions followed, interspersed with guest appearances from several sporting legends.

The event brought together the world’s leading sporting stakeholders and heralded the latest announcements on national sports development .

It also saw visits from nearly 419 delegations, including Denis Masseglia, President of the French Olympic Committee, and The Netherlands Ambassador to Qatar, Yvette Burghgraef. 

The exhibitors who came from 30 countries, reported an extremely favorable experience.

Mr. Abdulaziz Al Mahmoud, President of Aspire4Sport

"The main objective of Aspire4Sport is to promote and support the sports industry by creating a climate conducive to the fostering of mutually beneficial partnerships that enrich the region’s sporting industry."

"The continued success of this event supports Aspire Zone’s strategic vision of becoming a world leader of sporting excellence by 2020."

"Aspire4Sport is an enabling platform that allows us to continue to nurture future sporting talent in line with the human and economic pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030"

National Sport Day expansion

His Excellency Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Secretary General of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), used the high-profile conference as a platform to announce that Qatar’s National Sport Day will be expanded into a week-long, annual National Sports Festival in an effort to boost Qatar’s sports tourism industry.

HE Sheikh Saoud made the announcement in conjunction with Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), and said, “The National Sports Festival signifies the unification of Qatar Olympic Committee and Qatar Tourism Authority’s efforts to successfully promote and market Qatar as a sports tourism destination by catering to international and regional fans through all-inclusive promotional packages."

Al Wakrah Stadium's design concept unveiled 

The design developers of Al Wakrah Stadium, AECOM in partnership with Zaha Hadid Architects, unveiled their new-concept design to the world and exclusively showcased details on what will be the first of Qatar’s FIFA World Cup 2022 arenas to be completed.

During a Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee Update on day two of the conference, John M. Dionisio, Chairman and CEO of AECOM, said, “The Al Wakrah Stadium was designed in consultation with FIFA, and succeeds in adhering to its high standards. Any alterations we made to the design were to maintain the vision of creating a stadium reflective of Al Wakrah’s heritage.”

Aspire Zone development plans

Conference organizers AZF also unveiled ambitious development plans of their own, announcing a significant expansion scheme to further the nation’s ambition of achieving a world-class sporting infrastructure.

Engineer Mohammed A. Al Meer, Manager of AZF Engineering Department, highlighted the mega projects planned and said, “The expansion will result in the creation of new facilities including training venues, indoor facilities, winter indoor facilities, target and martial arts facilities, a skate park, water rafting and an indoor cycling venue. It will host multipurpose conference facilities, including hotels, restaurants and residential real estate, which will assist in transforming Qatar’s burgeoning economy into a thriving metropolis.”

QFA-Shell new partnership

In addition, His Excellency Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, President of the Qatar Football Association announced a new partnership with Qatar Shell that will see the energy giant become patrons of Qatar’s national football team for the next four years. Qatar Shell has sponsored the Prince’s Cup for the past eight years and recently signed two partnerships to launch the Koora Time Initiative, aimed at improving the health of Qatar’s youth.

Staab nominated for the "German Football Ambassador" award

At this year's Aspire4Sport the ‘German Football Ambassador’ program nominated Monica Staab, Coach of Qatar’s national women’s team, for its first prize, to be awarded to her at the Department for Foreign Affairs in Berlin next year. Staab received prize money to support social football projects in a country of her choice. She chose to support the United Nations-endorsed Layan campaign.

Sporting Legends

An array of sporting legends took to the couch during the ‘Stars Chat’ segment of Aspire4Sport, including football’s Alan Shearer, former heavyweight boxing world champion Lennox Lewis, and NBA superstars Shaquille O’Neal and Alonzo Mourning. 

Local motorsports legend Saeed Al Hajri also took part in the Stars Chat event alongside the promising rallying star Abdulaziz Al Kuwari.

Brazilian Football Café (Exhibitor)

First time participant Alexander Barbosa, President of sports marketing firm the Brazilian Football Café, said, “This is the premier sporting business event in the Middle East so it is fundamental for us to be here. It is even more fitting that it is being held in Qatar, hosts of the FIFA World Cup 2022, enabling us to show this country what we can offer it. This is our first year at Aspire4Sport but we will definitely be back next year as our experience has put us in contact with key decision-makers of the international sporting world."

The Look Company (Aspire4Sport Official Branding Partner)

The Look Company, a digital fabric printing firm, has had a presence at Aspire4Sport from the start, and remains steadfast supporter. General Manager Jacob Burke said, “We are official partners of Aspire4sports and have been for four years. It is exciting to see the expansion of the exhibition during this time, as well as the increase in high-profile visitors. Aspire4Sport has succeeded in fostering a reputation as one of the leading sports exhibitions in the world, and this year’s success proves just that."

Qatar 2022 unveils concept design for Al Wakrah Stadium

The Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee unveiled the new concept design for Al Wakrah Stadium during a press conference in Doha on Saturday.

AECOM, in association with Zaha Hadid Architects, have developed the new, innovative design under the guidance of the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee.

Al Wakrah – famous for its fishing and seafaring heritage – is the proposed southern-most Host City for the 2022 FIFA World Cup™. 

Located approximately fifteen kilometres south of Doha, Al Wakrah has served as a vital commercial port and a gateway to the capital throughout Qatar’s history. Al Wakrah’s tradition is reflected in the stadium design, which captures the essence of the traditional dhow, an Arabian pearl fishing boat.

The design of the stadium and the development of an approx. 585,000 m² precinct area surrounding it will embrace the cultural heritage of Al Wakrah and the adjacent historical settlement of Al Wukair.

The stadium will have a gross capacity of 40,000. The top-tiers of the stadium will be modular, allowing the stadium’s capacity to be lowered to 20,000.

Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General, Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee

"Today’s announcement constitutes the first in an upcoming series of progress-related events and initiatives as we enter the early phase of delivering the promises we made to FIFA and the international football community during the bid. We are proud to reveal what we believe is a truly unique stadium design and surrounding precinct that will serve the population and act as a social hub for the community of Al Wakrah, and Qatar as a whole, during the 2022 FIFA World Cup and for the years to follow. The stadium reflects what our country stands for from a cultural perspective.  It is modern, futuristic and functional.  But importantly, it remains true to Qatari heritage with the design and materials inspired by the traditional dhow boat."

Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General, Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee

"We are at an advanced stage in our planning. Al Wakrah is the first of six stadiums already in the latter stages of the design process. Our committee has issued ten major tenders to the market encompassing project and design managers and stadium-operation consultants."

"After a rigorous design process, undertaken by the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, in coordination with its stakeholders, the local construction market will see real work and progress. Works will begin to be visible on stadium sites."

"In 2014, tenders will be issued for early works, enabling works and main contractors for five stadiums.  These stadia will be in different construction stages by the fourth quarter."

"On Al Wakrah specifically, early works on the stadium site will begin in January, with the tender for the main contractor issued in the second quarter.  Stadium construction will begin in the fourth quarter."

"All construction contracts for the stadium will be issued in line with the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee’s Workers’ Charter and Standards – developed in consultation with international human rights organizations – which will enforce best practice, in line with the government’s vision for worker welfare, and cement the tournament as a catalyst to the improvement of workers’ welfare within Qatar and the region."

AECOM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John M. Dionisio 

"AECOM is pleased to play a part in the global launch for the Al Wakrah Stadium Project and congratulates the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee on reaching this important milestone in its delivery programme. We believe the planning and design for the Al Wakrah Stadium and Precinct clearly establishes an international benchmark for sports venues in the region. We are delighted to be involved with the 2022 FIFA World Cup programme and to support the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee in reaching its vision. This is an exciting time for Qatar, and our global team of forward-thinking sports experts is well equipped to take on the innovative challenges that a project of this calibre will demand."

Zaha Hadid

"We are excited to be working on Al Wakrah Stadium. The design expresses its context, establishing a relationship with the city and its surrounding landscape."

Al Wakrah Stadium and Precinct - Facts and Figures

-The stadium would be able to hostGroup, Round of 16 and Quarterfinal matches during the  2022 FIFA World Cup™. 

-The design uses sustainably sourced structural timber, reflecting the local seafaringtradition of Al Wakrahin the stadium structure.

-Primary arched trusses span over 230 metres across the stadium to create an iconic building and a column-free structure with unobstructed views from all seats.

-Spectators will be accommodated within a temperature-controlled (30 to 32 degrees Celsius) public realm covering approximately 72,000 square metres.

-Using a holistic design – incorporating shading, aerodynamic and mechanical cooling components – players and spectators will be kept cool and comfortable with a natural grass pitch cooled toan optimal 26 degrees Celsius and shaded spectator stands cooled to between 24 and 28 degrees Celsius.

-In order to meet the carbon neutral objective of the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ in Qatar,the Al Wakrah Stadium design:

-supplies 15% of tournament energy using on-site renewable sources

reduces water use by 60%.

-uses 15% reused or recycled material in permanent structures.

-minimizes waste by 90% through design efficiency and construction waste management. 

-Al Wakrah Stadium will receive Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) 4 Star and LEED Gold certifications.

-The newly-built Al Wakrah Stadium will serve as the future home of Al Wakrah Sports Club.

-Stadium Net Capacity: 40,000 with 20,000 modular seats.

Transport

-New Metro station in Al Wakrah, on the Red Line, located 4 kilometres from the stadium, with trains travelling every 10 minutes to Doha at an 800-passenger capacity per train 

-A transit fan zone adjacent to the Metro station will allow fans to transfer onto stadium shuttle buses

-Water taxis at the port of Al Wakrahwill connect seafaring fans to Doha and other cities across Qatar

-Over 100,000 sq. m. of roads, foot and cycle paths inside the precinct 

-No. of parking spaces:  6,000

Community and Sports Hub Legacy

-2x FIFA compliant training pitches fully cooled to an optimal 26 degrees Celsius

-A Multi-Purpose Indoor Arena with two indoor halls

-Four Tennis Courts

-2x Basketball Courts and associated support facilities

-A 4 Star Business Hotel with 150 rooms

-5,000-10,000 sq. m. retail space;

-A Hospitality Vocational Training Centre

-An international school for 1,000 pupils incorporating a 400m running track

2013 Aspire4Sport Preview

The fourth edition of Aspire4Sport Congress and Exhibition will kick off in Doha on Saturday.

Aspire4Sport is the leading sports business gathering in the Middle East. The world-class event is hosted annually by Aspire Dome and brings together key decision makers and business leaders from the sports industry, as well as many sports' legends.

This year the conference will focus on two major areas, first the venues during the "Coliseum" conference on November 16^th and 17^th, then "The Host Cities" on the 18^th and 19^th.

The "Stars Chat" event will be held daily and will feature well-known sports figures from around the globe, including basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal, English football legend Alan Shearer and former British boxing star Lennox Lewis. The event is open to the public who can also visit the exhibition daily from 14:00 local time.

On Saturday, the organizing committee of the 2022 FIFA World Cup is expected to reveal a new project that represents a significant milestone on the road to the event that will be hosted by Qatar.

Blatter: Qatar is on the right track

FIFA President Sepp Blatter made a short visit to Doha on Monday where he met with the Emir of Qatar HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and members of the Qatar 2022 Supreme Organizing committee to discuss issues related to the 2022 World Cup that will be hosted by Qatar.

At a joint press conference with the Managing Director of the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani, Blatter asserted that the decision to award Qatar the hosting rights of the 2022 World Cup is not reversible, quashing any doubts that the event will be moved away to any other country.

Blatter also also talked about other issues like the timing of the event, the migrant workers abuse claims and Qatar's ability to host a successful tournament nine years from now.

Meanwhile, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani stressed that governmental and non-governmental organisations in Qatar are working hard to improve standards for workers and residents in the country, promising the whole football community with an amazing World Cup in 2022. He also invited anyone curious on whatever issues regarding Qatar, to visit the country and experience it by themselves.

Here are the highlights of today's press conference 

Sepp Blatter - FIFA President 

Concerning the possibility of withdrawing the event from Qatar

"there is not one single doubt that the World Cup 2022 will be organised in Qatar, with all matches to be played in Qatar. The decision has been taken on the 2nd of December 2010 and will not be reversed"

Qatar 2022 Organizing Committee is capable of organizing the event in summer 

"The organizing committee here and the state of Qatar are willing and they are able to organize the World Cup in June and July if required, with a system of air conditioning in the stadium."

Concerning the possibility of moving the event to winter

"If it would be possible to play in another date, it would be better for the World Cup and for Qatar."

We want to consult now with the different participants in our game and our economic partners to find the date to play in the best possible conditions. The Secretary General of FIFA has been mandated to do so."

The event will not be held in January or February

"We will not play the World Cup in January and February. It would be totally disrespectful to the Olympic family and organisation when they have the Winter Olympic Games in January and February. We have also consulted our economic and media partners. So many different partners are with FIFA and the Olympic Games so we can not have the partners in two competitions at the same time."

Concerning the migrant workers abuse claims 

"The state of Qatar are aware of some problems. They have already started to react. We went to the Supreme Committee building and we listened to a presentation. What was presented to us shows that they are going forward not only today but have already started months ago with the problems with labour and workers."

"The labour laws will be amended and are already in the process of being amended."

"Special attention will be paid to the different inspections that are necessary, the government inspectors will receive more powers to enforce the labour legislation and there will be accommodation for all the workers. Actually, accommodation is built for workers with room for 60,000 to be opened this December."

"We have also learned that they have already had contact with the Building and Wood Workers International (BWI) union, with the human rights international agencies and with the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The part that has impressed me is the workers' welfare charter and their "Red Card to Forced Labour" initiative."

The positive report from BWI

"I have also received a letter from the BWI (Building and Wood Workers' International Union) who have been here and given us a positive report. They are asking FIFA to enter with them into discussions which we will certainly do. There is, at the end, only one solution and this is getting together with Qatar and FIFA for the benefit of the World Cup. On one side, football and the other, the benefit of the country."

The Social role of the World Cup

"The World Cup is in nine years but the problems have to be tackled now. We are not responsible for the laws but we are happy to see that the laws will be amended. I am happy that the World Cup in this country can be a catalyst for other countries when organizing competitions to build up the social part, that will also be registered as a legacy."

Qatar is on the right track

"I can say that Qatar is on the right track with the football and the government authorities of this country are on the right track."

"Concerning the specific organization of the World Cup I can tell you they are on a really good track in Qatar, and having been now in FIFA for many years and being with World Cup Organizations since 1978, I can say that Qatar will be ready to have a wonderful World Cup in 2022”

HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani - Managing Director of the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee 

Qatar is ready to host in either summer or winter

Once we bid for the World Cup we bid on the premise of hosting in the summer. Having said that we are ready to deliver it whether it's in the summer or the winter. Either way it's going to be an amazing World Cup.

Qatar's efforts to improve workers' welfare

"We were happy to show the President a specific workers' welfare committee that we established to monitor and ensure that we are taking full advantage of the World Cup to bring about necessary changes in improving workers' welfare, not only in Qatar but also to be an example for other host nations. Taking on a World Cup is a challenge for any host nation. We are happy to have taken that spotlight nine years earlier than most, but we embrace it fully so we can bring about those necessary changes."

These issues have been taken to heart a very long time ago, once we started our exponential growth and development of the nation. I can ensure everyone that both governmental and non-governmental organisations are continuously working on a day-to-day basis to improve the standards for not only the workers but the inhabitants of this country."

Regarding the ongoing preparations to host the event

"Six of our stadiums are currently in different planning and design phases, with the rest coming along down the line, we are hoping to complete all the projects by 2020 to host the FIFA Confederations Cup with all our facilities in 2021."

QSL - Matchday 6 - Review

With the conclusion of another exciting QSL round, five teams continue their battle for the top spot as only goal difference separates the top three sides Al Sailiyah, Al Wakrah and Al Jaish while Lekhwiya and defending champions Al Sadd are a single point behind.

The highlights of this weekend included two great comebacks from Al Sailiyah and Umm Salal, Al Gharrafa’s first defeat, Al Rayyan’s Nilmar ending his goal drought and Al Arabi’s Wanderley scoring his first league hattrick.

Al Khor (2) [Madson 45 Othman Mohamed 48]

Al Sailiyah (2) [Dagano 90 Ilunga Diba 90+3]

Al Khor came close to their first victory this season, but were denied by an injury time comeback from the visitors.

Madson opened the score for the home side in the final minute of the first half with a brilliant individual effort, before creating the second three minutes after the break from a corner that was headed in by Othman Mohamed.

The Peregrines looked set for their first league defeat this season when Bahrain International Fawzi Ayesh wasted a penalty 16 minutes from time.

But with the game heading into injury time, a long ball from Ayesh found Moumoni Dagano at the edge of the box, and the Burkina Faso international controlled the ball brilliantly before unleashing an unstoppable shot past Papa Djibril to make it 2-1.

A couple of minutes later Dagano was fouled again inside the box and Congolese striker Yves Ilunga Diba made no mistake this time to earn his team a worthy point.    

Al Wakrah (0)
Al Sadd (0)

Al Sadd’s goalkeeper Saad Al Shib was sent off after just 14 minutes for handling the ball outside the box, but Al Wakrah failed to benefit from the numeric advantage in a game that saw both sides wasting clear chances.

The match saw Spain’s legend Raul getting his first yellow card since joining Al Sadd in the summer of 2012.

Umm Salal (3) [Othman Al Assas 45' IbrahimaN’daiye 79' Al Yahri 84']
Al Rayyan (3) [Ahmed Alaa 21' Nilmar 36' Hamed Ismael 70']

Al Rayyan’s woes continue as they wasted a two goal lead against bottom of the table Umm Salal to extend their winless streak to three games.

After a disastrous 5-1 defeat against Al Sailiyah, The Lions suffered a 3-1 loss against Al Gharrafa last week and a victory against Umm Salal was crucial to get the team back among the title contenders.

It started very well for the visitors as Ahmed Alaa gave them the lead in the 21^st minute with a long range effort, before Nilmar found the net for the first time this season 15 minutes later, but Umm Salal fought back and were able to reduce the deficit just before the break, when Othman Al Assas successfully converted from the spot.   

Hamed Ismael made it 3-1 for Al Rayyan with a wonderful free-kick in the 70^th minute, but IbrahimaN’diaye brought the “Oranje” back into the game with a powerful header after a perfect cross from Aden Ali to set up a nail-biting final ten minutes.

With six minutes left on the clock, a great passing move that Involved N’diaye, BakaryKone, ended with delicate touch from Al Assas that set up Substitute Abdul Aziz Al Yahri for a deserved equalizer.

Umm Salal stayed bottom of the table with three points, while Al Rayyan went up one place to a disappointing 12^th position one goal difference from Muaither, and to make matters worth for the Qatari football giants, Rodrigo Tabata was substituted in the first half after picking up a muscle injury. The length of his absence will be decided after a medical check at Aspetar today.

Pressure continue to mount on Al Rayyan coach Diego Aguirre, but the Uruguayan should not take the full blame for the recent poor results, with the team missing a number of key players through injuries and Nilmar failing to hit his top form.

Al Khurtiyat (3) [Domingos 23' John 33' Kaddioui 68']
Al Ahli (1) [Alain Dioko 47']

Al Khurtiyath ended a three-match losing streak with a deserved 3-1 home victory over Al Ahli.

Brazilian defender Domingos headed in Al Battat’s cross in the 23^rd minute to give the home side the lead, then ten minutes later Bahrain International Jaycee John intercepted a poor back pass from John Bensonbefore slotting the ball home to double the score.

Two minutes after the break, Alain Dioko Kaluyituka brought his side back into the game when he headed home Abdul Rahman Mohamed’s cross.

But in the 68^th minute, Al Battat’s pass found Youssef Kaddioui inside the box, and the former Morocco international used his skill to open up space for himself before sending the ball into the bottom corner with a neat right foot finish to restore AL Khurtiyath’s two-goal lead.

The win took “The Thunders” up two spots to eighth place, as Al Ahli slipped to tenth.

Al Gharrafa (1) [Mohamed Yasser 39']
Lekhwiya (2) [Nam Tae Hee 15' Mohamed Moussa 36']

This week’s top clash ended in a hard earned victory for Lekhwiya who are now fourth in the table, just one point behind the leading trio.

South Korea international Nam Tae Hee gave the two-times QSL champions the lead after only 15 minutes with a well-curled free kick from the edge of the box. 

Right back Mohamed Moussa benefited from a deadly mistake by Qatar International goalkeeper Qassim Burhan to double his team’s lead in the 36^th minute, but three minutes later Mohamed Yasser reduced the deficit with a powerful long range effort.

Al Gharrafa clearly lacked the creativity of their suspended Brazilian playmaker Nene, and they could have gone behind further if Sebastian Soria capitalized on his chances, but they were presented with a precious chance to level the score four minutes from time when they were awarded a penalty. Lekhwiya goalkeeper Amine Lecomte made a great save to deny Venezuela International Miku from the spot andearn himself a man-of-match award.

Lekhwiya’s Algeria international Madjid Bougherra was sent off in the final minutes and will miss next week’s important clash against Al Jaish.

Muaither (2) [Campos 68' 87']
Al Jaish (4) [Abdullah Ayesh 31' Jeddo 37' Ekoko 39' Wagner 74']

Three first half goals in the span of nine minutes stunned the QSL debutants Muaither as they slumped to their third successive defeat as Al Jaish maintained their unbeaten start.

Abdullah Ayesh headed in Wagner’s corner after 31 minutes to open the score.

After just five minutes, Mohamed El Sayed “Jeddo” made it 2-0 with a close range finish to a pass from Wagner, before setting up Ekoko for the third goal a couple of minutes later with a perfect cross from the right flank.

In the 68^th minute, Saud Salem’s corner was met at the far post with a perfect finish from Bolivian attacking midfielder Jhasmani Campos for Muaither’s first goal, but six minutes later Wagner added a fourth goal for Al Jaish to secure the victory.

Campos scored another consolation goal for Muaither from the spot three minutes from time.

Qatar SC (0)
Al Arabi (4) [Wanderly 7' 67' 88' Ahmed Khalfan 51']

Al Arabi handed Qatar their second successive 4-0 to extend their unbeaten run to three games and move two places up to sixth position in the table.

Wanderley bagged his first league hattrick since joining Al Arabi a couple of years ago. The Brazilian striker suffered a knee ligament injury on his league debut in September 2011. He returned to the team in the following season but scored only four goals in 15 starts.

He opened the score after just seven minutes with a powerful header after a measured cross from Mohamed Malallah.

Six minutes after the break, Ahmed Khalfan was lucky to go on the score sheet, as his shot hit the post before bouncing off the backof the keeper and into the net.

Wanderley added his second in the 67^th minute with a wonderful individual effort before completing his hattrick two minutes from the final whistle with a close range finish after a good cross from Jesus Meza.

QSL - Marchday 6 Preview

All eyes will be on Al Sailiyah today to see if the surprise league leaders can continue their brilliant performances when they travel to Al Khor, and with only three points separating the top six teams things can change dramatically for the top sides this weekend.

The top game on Saturday will see seven-time champions Al Gharrafa facing two-time winners Lekhwiya. Both sides were in great form lately and the game promises to be a cracker. Al Gharafa's Miku and Lisandro Lopez shined against Al Rayyan last week while Sebastian Soria scored a brace in a 5-1 victory for Lekhwiya  over Muaither.       

25/10/2013

 

Al Khor Stadium, 18:15 QT
Al Khor vs. Al Sailiyah

Surprise league leaders Al Sailiyah will travel to Al Khor hoping to continue their historic start to the season and extend their unbeaten run to six matches.

Sami Al Trabelsi’s side are playing with an attractive attacking-style aided by the in-form trio of Moumoni Dagano, Yves Ilunga Diba and Fawzi Ayesh. Their Most impressive results this season were defeating Al Rayyan 5-1 and holding former champions Lekhwiya to a 3-3 draw.

Al Khor are still looking for their first win this season, after a single defeat and four draws.

With their Brazilian forward Bruno Mineiro out for at least six months with a broken leg injury, Al Khor only scored three goals in five matches, with two of them coming last week in the 2-2 draw with Al Arabi.

Al Wakrah Stadium, 18:15 QT
Al Wakrah vs. Al Sadd

QSL defending champions will be hoping to return to the top of the table when they travel to second-placed Al Wakrah tonight.

Al Wakrah are still unbeaten and are second in the table only on goal difference from league leaders Al Sailiyah, while Al Sadd are lurking behind in third spot one point behind.

Last week Al Sadd registered their biggest win this season when they demolished Qatar SC 4-0, while Al Wakrah ended an impressive three-match winning streak with a 1-1 away draw against Al Jaish.

Al Wakrah’s Brazilian striker Michel Souza is in top form and currently leads the league’s top scorers’ list with five goals.

Khalfan Ibrahim was Al Sadd’s top performer this season with four goals, with Spanish legend Raul Gonzalez and Brazilian striker Leandro Da Silva are yet to show their full potential.

Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium, 18:15 QT
Qatar SC vs. Al Arabi

Last week, the Kings stumbled to a 4-0 defeat against Al Sadd, their first league defeat in what was also their first real test this season, while Al Arabi were held at home 2-2 by Al Khor.

The visitors will be without their Algerian playmaker Karim Ziani who picked up a thigh injury during training yesterday, and that means Jesus Meza can return to the starting line-up for the first time in a more than a month. The former Venezuela international was not included in the first team by German coach Uli Stielke to make way for Algeria’s Khoukhi Boualem who is registered as the Reserve team’s foreign player.

Suhaim bin Hamad, 20:30 QT
Umm Salal vs. Umm Salal

Four defeats in five matches have put Al Rayyan in 13^th position only one-point above the bottom of the table Umm Salal. This week the two sides will clash knowing that a defeat will only mean a guarantee of the bottom spot by the end of this round.

Anger is spreading among the fans of one of the most-supported clubs in the country, and a defeat against Umm Salal might cost the under-pressure Diego Aguirre his coaching role at Al Rayyan.

Last week against Al Gharrafa, the team played a good game and could have earned at least a draw, but defensive blunders and the inexperience of some young players in the side made them pay dearly. In addition, Nilmar was in poor form and Rodrigo Tabata was not at his best lately, and when these two stars fail to deliver it is difficult to expect good results from “The Lions”.

Umm Salal sacked their French coach Alain Perrin at the end of last month, and replaced him with his fellow countryman Gerard Gili.

Gili made an impressive debut holding defending champions Al Sadd to a 4-4 draw, but that was followed with a 3-1 defeat against Al Ahli last week that sent the team to the bottom of the table.

26/10/2103

Al Khor Stadium, 18:15 QT
Al Khurtiyath vs. Al Ahli

Al Ahli notched their first victory this season when the defeated Umm Salal 3-1 last week to move from bottom to fifth in the table.

Veteran striker Waleed Hamza was on target in the last two games and if he kept showing this form, he might have a chance of returning to the national team.

Al Khurtiyath will hope for a positive result that will end a three-match losing streak that saw them slipping down to seventh place.

Thani bin Jassim Stadium, 18:15 QT
Muaither vs. Al Jaish

QSL debutants Muaither made the perfect start for their season defeating Umm Salal 2-1 in the opening round, but that proved to be their only victory as they suffered three defeats and draw 1-1 with Al Ahli in the next four rounds. They are suffering defensively as they conceded eight goals in the past two games.  

Al Jaish are fourth in the table, still undefeated, and have the best defense in the league with only two goals conceded.

19-year-old  Mohammed Muntari is in great form, with three goals in five games, including a worthy winner in a 1-0 victory over Al Sadd.     

Thani bin Jassim Stadium, 20:30 QT
Al Gharrafa vs. Lekhwiya

A great clash between two in-form teams who share five of the last six QSL titles. Al Gharrafa dominated the local scene between 2007-2010, before Lekhwiya broke their dominance in the 2010-11 season and clinched two successive titles.

Last week a great performance from the new attacking duo of Lisandro Lopez and Miku helped Al Gharrafa to an emphatic 3-1 victory over Al Rayyan. The leopards’ first win this season after four consecutive draws eased the pressure on their Brazilian coach Zico.

Eric Gerets’ Lekhwiya will face their first real test this season. They have been picking up form lately and registered two impressive home wins over Al Arabi 4-1 and Muaither 5-1.

The Leopards will be without their Brazilian playmaker Nene’ who is suspended after receiving a red card in the game against Al Rayyan.

Last season’s top scorer Sebastian Soria seems to have found his form as he scored his first goals of the season in last week’s 5-1 win over Muaither, and his team can also welcome back their brilliant Tunisian attacking midfielder Yousef Msakni who missed the game against Muaither through injury.

QSL – Matchday 5 Preview

The highlight of matchday five will be the classic clash between Al Rayyan and Al Gharrafa at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium on Saturday, while Al Jaish and Al Wakrah will battle it out for the top spot in a promising game at Abdullah bin Khalifa stadium on Friday.

18-10-2013

Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium – 20.30 QT

Al Jaish vs. Al Wakrah

The top clash this week will see Al Jaish hosting Al Wakrah with an eye on the top spot.

Al Wakrah is leading the table with eleven points, two points clear of the trio of Al Sailiyah, Qatar Sports Club and Al Jaish. The four sides are still undefeated after four rounds.

Al Wakrah’s new signing, Michel, scored in every league game this season, and is leading the league‘s top scorers list with five goals. The 27-year-old Brazilian joined the blue waves in the summer on loan from Sporting Braga of Portugal.

Al Jaish conceded only one goal in their first four matches.

Grand Hamad Stadium – 18.15 QT

Al Sailiyah vs. Al Khurtiyath

Al Sailiyah will be hoping for another impressive performance when they face Al Khurtiyath.

“The Peregrines” finished last season at the bottom of the table and were only saved by a late decision to expand the league to 14 teams, but this year everything looks different for the team with the arrival of the new coach Sami Trabelsi.

The 45-year-old former Tunisia coach miraculously transformed Al Sailiyah into a real title contender, thanks to the powerful attacking force of Momouni Dagano and new signing Yves Diba Ilunga.

In the previous round, Al Sailiyah crushed Qatari football giants Al Rayyan 5-1.

Al Khurtiyath started the campaign in great form by holding Al Wakrah to a 2-2 draw and defeating Lekhwiya away 2-0, but then their form slumped greatly and they suffered two consecutive defeats.

Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium – 18.15 QT

Lekhwiya vs. Muaither

Two-time champions Lekhwiya will be looking for an emphatic victory when they host newly-promoted Muaither.

With only one victory in four matches, pressure has been mounting on Eric Gerets, and another blunder against Muaither might cost the 59-year-old coach his job.

Muaither are tenth in the table with four points and are winless in their last three league games.

Ahmed bin Ali Stadium – 20.30 QT

Al Ahli vs. Umm Salal

The bottom of the table clash will be of great importance for both sides as they will be aiming for their first win this season.

After a poor start to the season Umm Salal sacked their French coach Alain Perrin and he was replaced by his countryman Gerard Gili, who previously lead the club to their biggest ever achievement when they won the Emir Cup and reached the semifinals of the AFC Champions League.

Gili’s first game in charge was an entertaining 4-4 draw against QSL Champions Al Sadd in matchday four.

Al Ahli lost the services of their midfield anchor Freydon Zandi who suffered a horrible leg injury in their match against Muaither, and will be out for at least 9 month. The Iranian midfielder played a big role in the team's return to top flight this season and the effect of his absence was clear in the previous round as they slumped to a 4-1 defeat against Al Arabi in the Doha Derby.

19-10-2013

Jassim bin Hamad Stadium – 18.15 QT

Al Sadd vs. Qatar

After kicking off their campaign with two straight victories, QSL Champions Al Sadd suffered a 1-0 defeat against Al Jaish, before missing on a close victory over Umm Salal a week later as they conceded a late equalizer from Cabore’ to draw with Umm Salal 4-4.

If the home side failed to win the game against Qatar on Saturday, it will be the first time they fail to win a league game in three consecutive rounds since April 2012.

Qatar Sports Club have made their best league start since the 2010/2011 season with two wins and two draws, but their clash against Al Sadd will be their toughest to date.

Sebastiao Lazaroni’s side will be hoping that their versatile winger Moussa Al Allaq can keep the brilliant form he showed lately as he was on target in the last two games scoring the winner against Al Khurtiyath and a nearly striker that secured a point against Al Gharrafa.

Grand Hamad Stadium – 18.15

Al Arabi vs. Al Khor

Al Arabi made another poor start to their league campaign despite revitalizing their team in the summer by signing eight new players.

Pressure was eased on German coach Uli Stielke in the previous round as his team defeated Al Ahli 4-1 in the Doha derby to secure their first win this season.

The match against Al Ahli also saw Wanderley scoring his first ever league brace for the team. The 25-year-old former Flamengo striker joined Al Arabi in 2011 but his first two seasons were marred by lengthy injuries.

New signings Mohamed Razak and Thamer Gamal also scored their first goals with the club in the same match.

Things look different for Al Khor who was expected to battle for a place among the top four this season, as they lie in the 12^th position with three points from three draws and a 4-0 home defeat against Al Rayyan.

The team was hit by the absence of Brazilian star striker Bruno Mineiro who suffered a broken-leg injury in the opening day of the season and was replaced by Morocco’s Fawzi Abdul Ghani who is yet to show his real potential.

Ahmed bin Ali Stadium – 20.30

Al Rayyan vs. Al Gharrafa

The Lions will host the Leopards in one of the Classic encounters in Qatari football as it brings together two of the most popular teams in the country.

Both sides failed to impress in the opening four rounds of the season, as Al Rayyan suffered three defeats including a humiliating 5-1 home loss against Al Sailiyah on Matchday Four, while Al Gharrafa settled for four consecutive draws.

Al Rayyan coach Diego Aguirre is on a hot seat and if his team failed to perform well against the Leopards he might be on his way out of the club.

Al Gharrafa’s coach Zico will hope that the club’s two big summer signings, Argentina’s Lisandro Lopez and Venezuela’s Miku can finally hit form. Both stars made their league debut in the previous round against Qatar SC as Lopez missed the opening three rounds with a thigh injury, while Miku joined the team on the closing day of the transfer window.