Doha: Al Shamal defeated Umm Salal 1-0 in a friendly match yesterday during their training camp in the Netherlands, as part of their preparations for the upcoming 2024-2025 Qatar Stars League season. The winning goal for Al Shamal was scored by Mehdi Salem in the first half. Both teams used the opportunity to field a large number of players.

The friendly was Al Shamal’s second match of the camp, following a 1-0 defeat to Dutch side Volendam in their first game. Shamal are scheduled to play two more friendly matches on July 28 and August 1, with their opponents yet to be determined. Meanwhile, Umm Salal have four more friendly matches lined up during their training camp.

They will face French team Valenciennes on July 24, followed by a match against Dutch side Heracles on July 27. Their fourth friendly will be against UAE’s Al Wasl on July 31, and they will conclude their camp with a match against Dutch team Telstar on August 2. Meanwhile, Al Ahli clinched a 2-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven U-23 in a friendly match yesterday as part of their training camp in the Netherlands.

Abdel Rahman Fahmy and Erik Exposito netted the goals for Al Ahli. The team’s coach took the opportunity to rotate the squad extensively, ensuring all players gained valuable match practice. Ahli’s pre-season preparations include three more friendly encounters: they will face UAE’s Al Wasl on July 24, Belgium’s Lommel on July 27, and conclude their friendly matches on August 1 against a yet-to-be.