(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Apart from the Qatar national team players, 11 Qatar Stars League international stars will be joining their national sides hoping to aid them in qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
In Asia, it's the penultimate round of qualification and seven QSL players will be hoping to make the difference for their sides in group A.
The South Korean duo of Nam Tae-hee of Lekhwiya and Kooky Han of Al Gharafa has been called up for the Taegeuk Warriors. The South Koreans will take on Iraq in a friendly before an away match against Qatar.
Two Iranian players — Morteza Pouraliganji of Al Sadd and Pejman Montazeri of Al Ahli — have joined the Iranian national team ahead of their friendly match against Montenegro and qualification encounter against Uzbekistan. They will be looking to maintain their five-point lead at the top of the table.
Uzbekistan head coach Samvel Babayan has called up two QSL players ahead of his sides June matches; the white Wolves are set to take on Thailand in a friendly and a tough away qualifier against Iran. Both El Jaish winger Sardor Rashidov and Al Sailiya striker Temurkhuja Abdukholiqov have been given the nod.
Umm Salal attacker Mahmoud al-Mawas has been called up by the Syrian national team for their two matches, a friendly against Japan, and the qualifier against China on June 13.
Over in Africa, two QSL based players have been selected for the upcoming AFCON 2019 qualification matches. Lekhwiya midfielder Yusef Msakni has been called up for the Tunisian national team, whilst Al Gharafa defender Rashid Sumaila has been chosen for Ghana.
European qualification for the 2018 World Cup will see two QSL players representing their countries. Al Gharafa winger Vladimir Weiss has been called up by Slovakia for their qualification game against Lithuania. Al Sailiya defender Dragos Grigore will join Romania as they take on Poland and Chile.
Chico waves goodbye to Lekhwiya
Reigning Qatar Stars League (QSL) champions Lekhwiya have confirmed that they have decided against renewing the contract of Spanish central defender Chico Flores ahead of the new 2017-18 season. The Red Knights confirmed the news in a brief statement over the weekend, noting that the club will be parting ways with the 30-year-old defender along with Brazilian attacker Edison Da Silva, who joined the club on a short-term deal to cover for the injury of Yusef El Arabi. Flores enjoyed a trophy-laden three-year-stint with Lekhwiya, picking up two QSL league titles one Qatar Cup and one Emir Cup.
Al-Hajiri heads to Al Sadd
QSL side Al Sadd has further strengthened their side ahead of the next campaign by officially announcing the signing of Qatar international keeper Saud al-Hajiri from rivals Al Rayyan. The Wolves confirmed the news on Thursday evening via their official club website. Al-Hajiri has put pen to paper on a one-year deal with the side, with an option for a further year. The signing of the keeper is Al Sadd's second of the season, following the capture of Boualem Khoukhi from Al Arabi. Speaking on signing his contract with this seasons Qatar and Emir Cup winners al-Hajiri said, 'The biggest factor that pushed me to join Al Sadd was the plan for next season. Sadd is a team that always looks to improve and improve themselves.
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