Al Shamal face Al Gharafa in another crucial Week 22 match of the 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League at the Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday, April 28, 2024. The kick-off is at 6.30pm.
The contest will be strong and important for both teams with either side seeking to provide their best in order to achieve a victory and advance in the rankings. For Al Gharafa, a win could also keep them in the battle for valuable second place in the rankings.
Al Shamal are currently ninth in the table with 22 points, equal with Qatar SC (in eighth).
Al Gharafa succeeded in overturning the deficit in their previous round against Al Wakrah and eventually won 4-2. The win helped Al Gharafa gain three valuable points to raise their tally to 44 points to be in third place along with Al Rayyan (second) and the competition between the two teams continues in Week 22 to finish as the runners-up in the league championship. Al Sadd have already claimed the title.
The Cheetahs undoubtedly will go all out for a win aiming to snatch the second place from Al Rayyan, while Al Shamal will look to correct the mistakes made in their previous-round 0-4 loss to Al Sadd.
The first-leg meeting between Al Gharafa and Umm Salal had ended in a 1-1 draw.
While a positive result for Umm Salal would provide them with a winning finish to the league championship, Al Gharafa (who are also in battle with Al Rayyan for the second place in the rankings) would strive to make the grade for the AFC Champions League qualifiers. Al Sadd, as champions of Expo Stars League, go straight into the AFC Champions League group stage.