Raul set to join Qatari side Al-Sadd

Former Spanish international striker Raúl González Blanco, better known as Raul, has signed a one year contract with Qatari side Al-Sadd SC, the champions of the 2011 AFC Champions League in Asia. Raul has left Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04 after two seasons in the German top tier.

The Qatar Football Association said on Sunday that the Doha-based club had signed the 34-year-old former Real Madrid and Spain captain on a one-year deal, but further details were released.

Schalke 04 had made an offer to Raul to extend his contract, but the striker had decided to leave Europe and play in a developing league with Qatar always seen as his preference also due to the salary which he would receive in the Middle East.

Raul was a fan favourite at Schalke, scoring 27 goals in 63 Bundesliga matches. When Raul announced he would leave German Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04 it was an emotional affair after two years at the Ruhr valley club ( Raul to leave Schalke at end of season ).

VIDEO: Sunil Chhetri's penalty against Qatar

India yesterday scored a memorable victory against Qatar. But sadly it wasn't live on any Indian television channel and many would have liked to see the goals scored by Sunil Chhetri and Sushil Kumar Singh.

Now here is the video clip of Chhetri's penalty taken by a fan at the Al Sadd Stadium.

India ready for Qatar test, Subrata to lead

As preparations for their 2014 FIFA World Cup - Asian Round 2 home-and-away tie against the United Arab Emirates on July 23 and 28, India later today face Qatar in Doha in what is set to be a tough encounter for the new look India side.

Once more Doha's Al Sadd Stadium will play hosts to an Indian team this year. In January India played two of their 2011 AFC Asian Cup matches against Australia and Bahrain at the venue, then last month Qatar faced India in the 2012 London Olympics qualifiers. India lost all three matches, but never gave up in any of those games.

Ahead of the game interim coach Armando Colaco said, "A lot has to be done and achieved in three weeks of training. But I'm happy the manner we played our first match against Maldives. I'd request all to go through the recording of the match and judge the manner the boys played."

"However, there's no denying there's a lot to be done; achieved," Armando added knowing about the task ahead of his team.

After Sunil Chhetri was captain against the Maldives last Sunday, tonight goalkeeper Subrata Pal will be given the task of leading the team onto the pitch.

And talking about it Subrata said, "On one side it's just another match in the life of a footballer. On the other side, it's an honour which every player dreams of – an inspiration to do better."

"My dream to is to serve my country to the best of my abilities and as long as possible," Subrata added.

Rotating the captaincy is something Armando is doing to strengthen the players and their own self-belief. He is trying to get the players to understand what system he would like them to play, but he is not adverse of trying out something against Qatar, if it helps in the matches against the United Arab Emirates.

Armando will most likely have to make one change as Steven Benedic Dias isn't fully fit and Lalrindika Ralte could get his first start for the India Senior team otherwise the team remains the same.

Meanwhile Qatar are currently coached by Serbian Milovan Rajevac, the man who nearly took Ghana to the 2010 FIFA World Cup semifinals. The team is mostly the same as the one what reached the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup in January at home.

Uruguay-born Sebastian Soria remains the most dangerous man upfront and it will be a real test for the new Indian defence led by Gouramangi Singh against a strong opponent, who plays a similar style of football as the UAE.

The kick-off is slated for 21.00 IST.


Likely INDIA Starting XI

1-Subrata Pal [C]; 16-Samir Naik, 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 3-Raju Eknath Gaekwad, 2-Debabrata Roy; 20-Lalrindika Ralte, 8-Climax Lawrence, 30-Mehtab Hussain, 22-Syed Rahim Nabi; 10-Jeje Lalpekhlua, 11-Sunil Chhetri

AFC Champions League: Dempo's tough challenge

I-League champions Dempo Sports Club will be facing Qatar Stars League side Al Sadd in the 2011 AFC Champions League playoff on Saturday, February 19 to qualify for the lucrative continental club tournament. Since the revamp and professionalisation of the Champions League by the AFC no Indian club has been able to qualify for the group stage.

And Dempo's task is quite a difficult one as the Goans will have to travel to Doha to face Al Sadd at their home venue, which only last month played host to India's matches against Australia and Bahrain in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. And hopefully like in those matches the Indian fans will come out to support the I-league champions.

Dempo SC had been given a first round qualifier bye and on Saturday would face Al Sadd, who had beaten Syria's Al Ittihad 5-1 on February 12. Only the winner would make it to the AFC Champions League group stage and the West Zone winners have been drawn in Group B along with Iran's Esteghlal, Al Nassr from Saudi Arabia and Pakhtakor from Uzbekistan; while the losers go to the AFC Cup and would face Al Qadsia (Kuwait), Al Saqr (Yemen) and Shurtan (Uzbekistan) there. Both interesting, but tough groups for Dempo.

Dempo coach Armando Colaco had emphasised over the last few months that his big ambition is to qualify as the first club from India for the Asian Champions League. Two year ago Dempo lost 0-3 against Sharjah FC, but this year they would hope for a better result.

Dempo go into the qualifier on the back of a 2-0 Goan derby win against Churchill Brothers SC in the I-League on Saturday. So hopefully they can carry that momentum into this game against an Al Sadd side which comes into the game on a high.