Doha: With the QNB Stars League in for a long break, stage is set once again for Ooredoo Cup.
Six matches in the second round are lined up for the weekend with three matches in Group A taking place on Saturday, followed by the Group B matches on the following day.
This weekend’s fixtures are: Al Wakrah vs Umm Salal (16:00) at Al Ahli Stadium, Al Rayyan vs Al Ahli (18:10) at Al Ahli Stadium and Al Sadd vs Al Shahania (18:10) at Al Khor Stadium on Friday (Group A), Al Gharafa vs Qatar SC (16:00) at Al Ahli Stadium, Al Arabi vs Al Sailiya (18:10) at Al Wakrah Stadium and Al Duhail vs Al Khor (18:10) at Al Khor Stadium on Saturday (Group B).
Al Wakrah and Qatar SC are leading Group A and B respectively with three points each.
Al Wakrah are followed by Al Rayyan, Al Ahli, Umm Salal, Al Shahania and Al Sadd in that order in Group A.
Al Gharafa are second in Group B, followed by Al Duhail, Al Arabi, Al Khor and Al Sailiya in that order.
In Round 1, Al Wakrah began their campaign in style by defeating Al Sadd 5-1 while Al Rayyan and Al Ahli secured wins to get off to a flying start in the tournament on October 11.
In Group B, Al Khor and Al Arabi played out a 1-1 draw while Al Duhail drew 2-2 with Al Gharafa. Qatar SC trounced Al Sailiya 4-0.
The Ooredoo Cup, formerly QSL Cup, provides younger players with more playing time and exposure. The tournament, which has a group-cum-knockout format, offers new opportunities for sponsors, partners and stakeholders to highlight their brands.
All 12 QNB Stars League teams are divided into two groups and the top four sides from each group will progress to the knockout quarterfinals.
Al Gharafa are the reigning champions. They beat Al Duhail 1-0 in last edition’s final. Al Gharafa had triumphed in the previous season as well.
Even though the teams will miss some of their international players who will do duty for their countries during the break, the tournament is a good opportunity for them to make up for the lapses and prepare for the tough times ahead in the QSL, with the battle for the top four positions being opened wide following an upset-filled Round 10. Al Duhail are leading the QSL points table, followed by Al Rayyan, Al Gharafa and Al Sadd in the top bracket.
