Al-Qadsiya players hold their final training session.

DOHA, Oct 22: Al-Qadsiya kicks off its campaign in the Gulf Champions League today, visiting Al-Arabi of Qatar at 7:00 pm at Al-Thumama World Cup Stadium in Doha for the first round of Group B.

This group also features Al-Ettifaq from Saudi Arabia and Al-Riffa from Bahrain, who will face off at 8:15 pm at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam.

The Gulf Clubs Championship is making a return after a hiatus since 2016, featuring eight clubs divided into two groups. Group A includes Al-Nasr from the UAE, Al-Ahli Sanaa from Yemen, Dhofar from Oman, and Dohuk from Iraq.

Matches will be played in a home-and-away format for each group, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals, also held in a home-and-away format.

Substantial incentives and prizes have been allocated for the participating teams, with the champion receiving a cash prize of $3 million and the runner-up earning $1 million.

Al-Qadsiya has previously clinched the Gulf title twice, in 2000 and 2005, while Al-Shabab, Al-Ahli, and Al-Ettifaq are the most successful clubs in the tournament's history, each securing the title three times.

Montenegrin coach Zeljko Petrovic understands the need for Al-Qadsiya to deliver "remarkable" results and compete for the championship. This is essential to appease fans, especially after the "unconvincing" performances displayed in the Zain Premier League. Currently, Al-Qadsiya's chances of contending for the league title are slim, as it sits in sixth place with just 10 points—11 points behind leader Kuwait Club after seven rounds.

Petrovic has a strong squad capable of achieving a positive result, including key players such as Bader Al-Mutawa, Eid Al-Rashidi, Khaled Ibrahim, Rashid Al-Dosari, Daniel Gibula, Ismail Khafi, Abdullah Mutawa, Adhbi Shehab, and Mohammed Soula.

On the other hand, Al-Arabi's English coach, Anthony Hudson, aims to rectify the mistakes made in its recent match against Al-Shamal, which it lost 5-2. The Qatari team finds itself in a similar situation, currently placed ninth in the Qatar Stars League standings with only 7 points, 11 points behind the league leader, Al-Duhail, after seven rounds of play.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff