Al Shahania face Al Arabi in the last match in Week 1 of the 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium of Al Sadd club on Sunday, August 11, 2024. The kick-off is at 8.30pm.

The contest will be a tough one for both teams. Al Shahania returned to the First Division (Ooredoo Stars League) after winning the play-off last season against Al Markhiya, while Al Arabi finished the last season in fifth place in the standings with 29 points.

Al Shahania, under Spanish coach Alvaro Mejia Perez, are looking forward to a distinguished start to the new season and to stay strongly motivated for the upcoming competitions whereas Al Arabi, coached by Younes Ali, will also be working hard to fetch the first win and obtain the three valuable points.

The two teams have prepared well for this season both through technical and physical training, and overseas conditioning camps, which also included friendly matches to prepare for the 2024-2025 season and Ooredoo Stars League.

Each team has also added prominent new players in preparation for the new season. Al Shahania recently signed up Nasser Al Ahrak from Al Gharafa for one season and Dutch striker Pelle van Amersfoort from Heerenveen, and also included his compatriot and defender Sven van Beek. Al Shahania have also renewed their contract with Sierra Leonean Alhassan Koroma, Belgian Francisco Antonucci and Spaniard Marc Muniesa.

On the other hand, Al Arabi announced the signing of Luis Martin for two seasons from Al Duhail and have included goalkeeper Mohammed Saeed. The Dream team renewed contracts with Abdullah Al Murisi, Ahmed Moeen, Yousef Muftah, Helal Mohammed and Abdullah Al Sulaiti.