Doha: Al Wakra plan to recruit five new local players with the new football season in mind, a top official of the Qatar Stars League (QSL) club said here yesterday.
“I see that Al Wakra need five local players to strengthen the ranks for the new season, which will be harder and more difficult for all the teams, and we look forward to playing at a better level than we did in the last season,” Abdullah Saqr, Deputy Head of Football at Al Wakra has been quoted in a report posted on the QSL website.
Wakra finished in the 11th place in the 14-team QSL, which Al Rayyan won.
Al Wakra club management is also seeking to resolve all the contracts in the coming days with the existing players and also with the new signings.
The clubs will also decide on the venue of the foreign pre-season training camp, as they prepare for the new season.
In terms of player contracts, Al Wakra club management has decided to extend the contract of defender Mohamed Arafa for a further two seasons and there are other players who will be renewing their contracts as well, including Mohammed Al Sulaiti, Saqr disclosed.
“Mohammed Al Sulaity is one of the important players of Al Wakra, his contract is being renewed because of his loyalty to the club, stressing at the same time that the rest of the player’s contracts are valid,” he added.
The deputy head of football also praised defender Arafa, after the player came up with some great performances in the last season, where he was one of the main pillars of the team, and wished him and all the players luck.
“Mohammed Arafa’s contract will now expire after five seasons. As his contract is extended for two more seasons.”
He also commented on the possibility of Al Wakra signing some new players after a few names were linked with the club.
“Certainly we are moving in this direction in coordination with the coaching staff, led by Uruguayan coach Mauricio Larriera, but at the same time we have not signed any new players so far.”
Regarding the needs of AL Wakra in terms of new talent, he continued, Saqr reiterated his assertions that talks are under way to renew the contract of their top scorer, Sasha. Al Wakra have made a final offer for the player but he has not yet reached an agreement with the team, he said.
Meanwhile, Al Khor will be taking part in a foreign training camp in Germany from July 31 to August 19 in preparation for the 2016-2017 season.
The team will be preparing for the upcoming season by undergoing technical and physical training, as well as friendly matches.
The players will be training under French tactician, Jean Fernandez, who is looking to take full advantage of the training period.
Al Khor is scheduled to play three friendly matches while in Germany , the opponents which have yet to be decided.
An agreement regarding friendly matches will be inked with some of the teams in the coming days.
The team will start their pre-season training in Doha on July 10, with all players participating under the leadership of coach Fernandez, who will decide along with the officials of the team as to which players will be heading to the training camp.
A few days ago, Al Khor acquired the Moroccan player Mouhcine Iagur for one season to join their Brazilian duo Madison and Marco Antonio as they look to strengthen their team for next season.
Al Khor finished the 2015-2016 Qatar Stars League season in tenth place with 33 points.
The Peninsula
