Top of the Table Clash: Gharafa vs Wakrah Preview and the Duhail–Ahli Showdown in Qatar's Stars League

Round 10 Preview: Gharafa vs Wakrah and Duhail vs Al Ahli

The 10th round of the Qatar Stars League begins this Friday evening with two matches: Al-Gharafa hosting Al-Wakrah at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium, and Al-Duhail facing Al-Ahli at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.

Gharafa and Wakrah: standings, last results, and injury notes

Gharafa sits atop the table on 22 points, with seven wins, one draw and one defeat. Wakrah are in fifth on 15 points, with four wins, three draws, and two losses. Last round, Gharafa beat Qatar 2-1, while Wakrah drew 2-2 with Al-Shamal.

A 15-day pause allowed some youngsters to progress and some players who represented Qatar at the U17 World Cup joined training, a positive sign for development. A final training session is planned a day before the game, and Ferjani Sassi and Mason will join once back from national duty, fitness permitting. “I know how Wakrah plays; their strengths and weaknesses will shape our approach,” Martins said.

Gharafa coach Pedro Martins noted injuries to Josilo and Al-Janahi, with Al-Saei and Andre still out, and Kang suspended from the previous match. He added a final session would precede the game and highlighted the challenge of facing a strong Wakrah side.

Wakrah and Duhail: coach quotes and build-up

Wakrah coach Vicente Moreno said preparations for the Round 10 clash in Doha were tough, but the players’ enthusiasm carried them through. “Everyone knows Gharafa’s quality; they lead the league, and this is a test against a top team with very good players and a very good coach,” he noted. He continued: “Despite knowing the opponent’s strength, our focus must be on ourselves because we have very good players.”

Moreno urged his players to play with confidence. “If we show our usual level, we can beat the best teams in the league,” he asserted. Amro Siraj of Gharafa described Wakrah as a respectable side with big names, and Fahd Wade of Wakrah voiced hope to overturn Gharafa and spark a winning run again.

In the second match, Duhail sit eighth with 12 points and Ahli ninth on 9. Croatian coach Igor Biscan stressed the need for continued improvement and said the Duhail clash would be tough, noting that Duhail remains among the league’s strongest teams regardless of current position and that Ahli will push to secure the result.

Gharafa’s coach Jamal Belmadi stressed that victory is essential to steady their path and noted the game is at home in front of the fans, raising the stakes given their position. He added they must close the chapter on the past and focus on what comes next, translating discipline and hard work into on-pitch results.

Al Ahli’s Issa Al-Najjar highlighted the significance of the clash and the challenge posed by Duhail, with all players prepared to give their best against one of the league’s strongest sides.

Two big tests lie ahead for the leaders and the chasing pack, with tactical battles, fan energy, and a few familiar names ready to shine.

Sniper joke: If football were a snack, this league would be spicy nachos—messy, bold, and somehow everyone wants seconds.

Sniper joke: In a league where the table moves faster than a rumor, optimism is the only stat you can actually count on until the final whistle.