Qatar SC players in action during a practice session on the eve of their match.
Doha: Qatar's football season kicks off with two mouth-watering clashes in the 2021-22 Ooredoo Cup this evening.
The reigning champions Al Sailiya will take on Al Arabi in the opening fixture this season when the Group B sides meet at the Al Khor Stadium. The match kicks off at 6:10 pm.
Both teams will definitely target full points as they try to make a strong start to the tournament, which features 10 teams this time, five in each group.
Al Gharafa, Qatar SC and Al Khor are the other teams in Group B.
Al Arabi have a strong fan base and their supporters play a key role in their campaign in various tournaments.
Former Qatar international midfielder Younis Ali has replaced Icelander Heimir Hallgrimsson as Al Arabi coach in the new season. He was at the helm of Qatar SC last season.
Al Sailiya, coached by Tunisian Sami Trabelsi for long, had finished ninth in the 2020-2021 season QNB Stars League (QSL)
In the second match of the day, Qatar SC face Al Khor in their Round 1 clash at Al Wakrah Stadium with kick off set for 8:20pm.
Al Gharafa, Al Arabi and Al Sailiya are the other teams in Group B of the tournament, which features 10 teams this time, five in each group.
Al Khor finished 11th in the last QSL season, above relegated side Al Kharaitiyat, and they had to defeat Al Shahania 3-1 in the play-off to retain their place in the top League.
