Yousef Jassim Al Fakhroo, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at QNB during the QNB Cup draw at Qatar Stars League (QSL) headquarters yesterday. QSL champions Al Sadd and Al Rayyan were drawn in the same group. Reigning champions Eljaish, who defeated Al Arabi 2-0 in the final last season are in Group B. Two-time QSL champions Lekhwiya are in Group C. PICTURE BY: SHAIVAL DALAL
DOHA: Qatar Stars League (QSL) rivals Al Sadd and Al Rayyan will play each other in the QNB Cup group-stage after the draw was made at QSL headquarters yesterday.
Attended by a host of club and QSL representatives, the tournament will have a new look with newcomers Al Ahli and Muaither, who now play in the QSL.
Besides Al Rayyan, QSL champions Al Sadd, who won this title in 2011 after beating Umm Salal in the final, will also face Muaither and Al Khor in Group A.
Reigning champions Eljaish, who secured their first ever silverware with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Al Arabi, are in Group B along with Sheikh Jassim Cup runners-up Al Kharaitiyat, Al Ahli, 2012 champions Al Wakra and former winners Al Gharafa, who lifted the title when the competition was first held in 2010.
In Group C, two-time QSL champions Lekhwiya coached by Eric Gerets are drawn with Al Arabi, Al Sailiyah, Qatar SC and the 2011 finalists Umm Salal.
The teams will play each other once, with the three group winners progressing to the semi-finals.
The best runner-up will then join the other three teams in the race for a place in the final.AGENCIES/THE PENINSULA
