Tribune News Network
Doha
Amir Cup champions Al Arabi will play Muaither in the opening match of the Ooredoo Cup for 2023-2024 season at the Grand Hamad Stadium on Saturday (September 9) at 6.30pm.
The Qatar Stars League announced the schedule for the tournament on Sunday.
Also on the opening day, Al Wakrah will take on Umm Salal at 8.30pm at the Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium while Qatar SC will meet Al Ahli at the same kick-off time at Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Stadium.
The following day, Sunday will see defending champions Al Duhail play Al Shamal (6.30pm) at Grand Hamad Stadium while Al Sadd will meet at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium (8.30pm).
The final game of the opening week will be between Al Gharafa and Al Markhiya at Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Stadium (8.30pm).
The final has been scheduled for January 6, 2024.
Ooredoo Cup is one of the major competitions on Qatar’s domestic football calendar and sees all top 12 club teams in action.
The sides have been divided into two groups based on the final standings in the 2022-2023 season league championship. Group A comprises Al Arabi, Al Wakrah, Qatar SC, Al Ahli, Umm Salal and Muaither.
Group B includes Al Duhail (who defeated Umm Salal in the final last season), Al Gharafa, Al Markhiya, Al Rayyan, Al Shamal and Al Sadd.
Al Gharafa are the most successful side in the tournament emerging as champions three times while Al Sadd and Al Sailiya have won the Ooredoo Cup twice.
