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Tribune News Network
DOHA
QNB Stars League side Umm Salal roped in Tunisian midfielder Oussama Darragi for one and a-half seasons, the first signing by any Qatari club in the winter transfer period that started on Monday and will end on January 31.
Oussama signed the deal in the presence of Umm Salal's Director of Sports Affairs Ali Amin. He has been recruited as replacement for Moroccan Youssef Sekour, who parted ways with the club by mutual consent.
The signing followed after Oussama cleared the medical at Qatar's orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital Aspetar.
Mahmoud Jaber-coached Umm Salal, fifth in the standings on 16 points halfway through this season's QNB Stars League, would expect much from the 30-year-old medio in the remaining part of the season.
The Orange Fortress will play Al Kharaitiyat at the Al Khor Stadium on January 11 in the 12th round.
Defender Qahtani recovering fast
Al Sailiya defender Ghanem al Qahtani is undergoing an intensive rehabilitation programme following a surgery at Qatar's orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital Aspetar on December 11.
He suffered an ankle injury during his team's 1-2 loss to Al Ahli in Week 10 of the QNB Stars League on December 2.
Ghanem is one of the most talented players in the QNB Stars League and a vital cog in the defensive machine of Tunisian coach Sami Trabelsi, who hoped he would be back in training in time for the tournament's second phase.
Al Sailiya, fourth in the standings with 19 points after the conclusion of first phase, will host Al Arabi at the Al Ahli Stadium in the 12th round on January 12.
All other players, except Hamad Obaidi and Abdul Karim al Ali who did duty for Qatar at the Gulf Cup in Kuwait, are attending the team's training sessions.
Al Sailiya will play a friendly against Tianjin Quanjian on Wednesday at the Aspire Zone, where the Chinese team is based for a winter camp.
Qatar SC beat Umm Salal
Hosts Qatar Sports Club defeated Umm Salal 3-0 in a friendly played as part of their preparations for the second phase of QNB Stars League.
Qatar SC led 2-0 at half-time through goals from Fahad Khalfan and Youssef al Kubaisi.
While Umm Salal tried hard and were able to pull one back in the second half, the rivals added a goal through Ameer Abduljabbar to emerge a comfortable winner.
In Week 12, Qatar SC will host QNB League leaders Al Duhail on January 13, while Umm Salal travel to Al Khor for their away game against Al Kharaitiyat on January 11.
Umm Salal, coached by Mahmoud Jaber, are fifth with 16 points and Abdullah Mubarak-trained Qatar SC 11th on eight.
Rayyan, Markhiya to play friendly
Al Rayyan will play a friendly against Al Markhiya on Friday, The Lions' only one during the month-long break between the QNB Stars League's first and second phase.
It will be a dress-rehearsal for Michael Laudrup-coached Al Rayyan ahead of their QNB Stars League Round 12 home match against Al Khor on January 13.
Al Rayyan are third in the standings with 25 points through eight victories and one draw in 11 games.
In between, they had lost the QSL Cup final 2-3 to Al Gharafa.
