Doha: Qatar Stars League (QSL) giants El Jaish will hold a one-week training camp in Abu Dhabi, the club announced yeserday.
The camp will be held from Janaury 14 to 20, El Jaish confirmed.
The team management is currently communicating with UAE football clubs in order play a number of friendly games during the training camp in Abu Dhabi.
The mid-season break comes as Doha will host the AFC U23 Championship from Janaury 12 to 30. Meanwhile, El Jaish has resumed their training session ahead of their QSL match against Al Sailiya on January 3. Club officials said yesterday key players Wisam Rizq, Abdel Rahman Abkar and Lucas will miss the next QSL game. Youngster Othman Al Yahri will also miss out as he has joined the Qatar Olympic squad.
Elsewhere, Al Gharafa chief Sheikh Hamad bin Mohamed Al Thani said yesterday the former QSL champions are seeking a return to good times in the second phase of the season. Al Gharafa, placed 10th out of 14 teams with a tally of 15 points, have been a pale shadow of themselves struggling on and off the pitch in the first four months of QSL.
“We are not satisfied with the team’s performances and we can feel the dissatisfaction of the club fans,” Sheikh Hamad said yesterday.
“We are aiming at regaining the balance and seeking good results in the coming games. I have huge confidence in the players getting back to where we belong with quality performances,” Sheikh Hamad added.
Commenting on the decline of Al Gharafa in the first four months of the season, he said: “Some of the professional players weren’t lucky recently and didn’t perform well. Also, we witnessed lots of missed goal-scoring opportunities in our games.” Regarding the new head coach who will take over from caretaker coach Al Habib Al Sadeq, he said: “We will make an announcement on the coach in the coming days. Some discussions are currently going with the new coach.”
When asked about changes during the transfer window, he said: “Definitely the team will be supported during the transfer window. We are seeking to make the team stronger and better in order to return to winning form.”
Al Gharafa, who beat Measimeer in the first leg by one goal to nil, take on the same opponents on January 2, 2016, at Al Wakrah Stadium.
Meanwhile, former Qatar Stars League (QSL) champions Al Sadd hit the training pitch yesterday following a five-day rest after their round 14 win over Mesaimeer. Club officials said Al Sadd are preparing for their round 15 clash against Umm Salal on January 3, 2016. Al Sadd squad was allowed a five-day rest by coach Jesualdo Ferreira after the side hammered bottom-placed Mesaimeer 5-1 in round 14.
The Peninsula
