Al Bayt Stadium will host the Al Gharafa vs Al Shamal Week 4 match of the 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League on Friday, September 13, 2024. The kick-off is at 6pm.
A strong and important match for both teams, the contest would see each trying to put out their best while aiming for a win to advance in the standings given the small difference in the points tally for most teams in the league championship.
Al Gharafa are currently in fifth place with four points – gained from a win, a draw and a loss, while Al Shamal are in sixth place with three points (one win and two losses).
Al Gharafa regained much of the balance of their squad as they staged a fightback for an exciting 2-1 victory over Al Rayyan in Week 3, which saw The Cheetahs pick up their first winning points this season in the league championship.
As for Al Shamal, they have suffered two consecutive losses, against Umm Salal and Qatar SC, and will seek to return to winning ways especially having shocked defending champions Al Sadd in the opening week.
While Al Gharafa will look to keep their momentum and close gap with the top teams, Al Shamal would work towards correcting their past mistakes and aim to return to the path of victories.
Al Gharafa have many distinguished players in their squad, most notably Spaniard Joselu, Algerian Yacine Brahimi, Romanian Florinel Coman, Senegalese defender Seydou Sane, Hamed Ismail and Ahmed Al Janahi among others. Their Portuguese coach Pedro Martins will push the players in the best way to achieve the desired.
Al Shamal rely on their Algerian striker Baghdad Bounedjah, who has scored four goals in the league championship so far, and midfielder Mahdi Salem, forward Mohammed Omar and new acquisition from Umm Salal – winger Nasser Al Nasr - among others. Their Portuguese coach Nuno Almeida will also seek to execute tactical plans to regain the winning touch in the league championship.