Football lovers in Qatar and fans of the Qatar Stars League (QSL) are in for a treat once again when the new season kicks off on August 16.
The governing body of the domestic league, Qatar Stars League recently announced the fixtures of the 2023-2024 season, plotted after taking into account the participation of Al Arabi and Al Wakrah in the preliminary rounds of AFC Champions League. The match dates and kick-off times will be amended after Week 3, following the release of the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League schedule.
For the first time in history, the new season brings an exciting change as the number of international players allowed in a squad in both the QSL and the Second Division League has been increased to seven, allowing more quality and experience to flow into the teams as well as the League, local media had reported.
The new player allocation will spark intense competition within the League, increasing the levels of ambitions of teams and players alike.
Most of the QSL clubs are currently finalising their pre-season training at various locations abroad, while the former champions Al Sadd took part in the King Salman Club Cup in Saudi Arabia. Almost all the teams used the break from competitive action to strengthen their ranks, hiring both local and international talent.
Al Sadd, who reached the quarter-finals in Abha, has secured the services of Moroccan International Romain Saiss and Brazilian former VfL Wolfsburg left back Paulo Otavio. The reigning champions Al Duhail who are currently in Austria gearing up for the new season has invested in young Frenchman Isaac Lihadji, a former Marseille, Lille and Sunderland forward who also plays for France U21 team.
Al Rayyan, meanwhile, concluded their preparatory camp in Austria. Just prior to their European tour, they signed Brazilian winger Gabriel Pereira from MLS side New York City, Spanish international Rodrigo Moreno and Brazilian midfielder Thiago Mendes from French club Lyon. Meanwhile, the Amir Cup champions Al Arabi signed Qatar internationals Ahmed Moein and Bassam Al Rawi in transfer deals.
Al Markhiya invested heavily in international professionals, recruiting Gambian Yusupha Njie, Portuguese Rochinha, young Algerian star Abdelghani Laallam, Dutch-Moroccan Naoufal Bannis, Frenchman Naby Sarr and Morocco international Driss Fettouhi.
Al Shamal added Colombian Jason Murillo to their ranks, while Al Wakrah had signed Egyptian Hamdy Fathy before their return from Austria and Spain respectively.
These changes and newly injected strengths will only mean one thing – QSL fans will get to experience one of the best seasons ever.
