Pre-season training: Al Gharafa to head for Slovakia; Al Arabi announce Austria camp 

Doha: Qatar Stars League (QSL) side Al Gharafa on Monday announced they will hold a pre season training camp in Slovakia as clubs head for Europe ahea...

Doha: Qatar Stars League (QSL) side Al Gharafa on Monday announced they will hold a pre-season training camp in Slovakia as clubs head for Europe ahead of the new season.

Al Gharafa under Portuguese Pedro Martins – declared as the best coach of the 2023-2024 season – will kick off their overseas preparations from July 16 with their training camp scheduled to conclude on August 1.   

The Cheetahs were impressive in the last season as they stayed in contention for the QSL title until the end before settling for a third place behind eventual champions Al Sadd and runners-up Al Rayyan.        Martins will look for a bright start in the top flight which is scheduled to begin on August 9 as Al Gharafa will start as among the favourites. But their first major challenge would be the AFC Champions League Elite qualifiers in August. 

Meanwhile, Younes Ali-coached Al Arabi will travel to Vienna, Austria ahead of the new season, the club has announced. 

Their training camp will take place from July 7 to 27 with coach Ali hoping for a turnaround after the Dream Team finished fifth in the previous season.       Also aiming for a strong performance in the upcoming season, Umm Salal have planned a training camp in Limburg, the Netherlands from July 17 to August 3.