Football Season Guide

Finished 12th last season but only 4 points above the relegation zone. Despite losing 17 of their 34 matches securing wins against the teams that struggled both home and away was vital for them. Greek coach Donis was learning in what was his first season at the club. He was undeterred by the slow start and come the spring Al Khaleej found their style – compact defending and blistering fast breaks down both flanks. Looks like the entire focus of the summer recruiting was to operate under this compact style even more this season. Wingers Masouras and Fernandes, as well as veteran striker King, were brought in to create a fluid front 3. All of them are experienced players and like to operate exactly on counterattack. Added new starting goalie, Moris arrives from the Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise, and duo of 33-year-old centre-backs – Schenkeveld and Asiri. All of them should be starters in what is shaping to be a back line constructed entire of players age 30 or over. Still lack depth in midfield but the two Greek midfielders Fortounis and Kourbelis are staying put and when fit they always start. At the moment of writing Al Khaleej already have their 8 allowed foreigners age 21 and over [Moris, Schenkeveld, Rebocho, Kourbelis, Fortounis, Masouras, Fernandes and King]. They can still add 2 young foreign starts if they want to, the other 2 slots for foreigners have to be filled by players age 21 or younger. Considering the injury-prone King is the only natural centre forward on the current roster Al Khaleej are expected in coming weeks to find a youngster or two for that role that can be learning and providing back-up.