Ceramica Go Third as Ittihad, Arab Contractors Claim First Wins

Ceramica recorded their second consecutive Premier League victory, while Ittihad and Arab Contractors secured their first wins of the season.

Sodiq Awujoola gave Ceramica an early lead at Suez Canal Authority Stadium after Modern Sport lost possession near their penalty area. rocore.sbs

Mohamed El-Halawany’s misplaced pass allowed Ahmed Belhadji to win the ball and release Awujoola, who finished the move in the seventh minute.

Modern Sport attempted to respond, but Ceramica goalkeeper Mohamed Bassam protected his side’s advantage before half-time.

Belhadji then doubled Ceramica’s lead in the 64th minute, converting after Walid Mostafa’s attempted clearance fell into his path. Ceramica nearly added a third when Marwan Osman headed narrowly wide with 17 minutes remaining.

The result followed Ceramica’s 3-1 victory over Ittihad Alexandria in Gameweek Two. They have now scored five unanswered goals since losing their opening match against Canal SC.

Modern Sport dropped to 10th with four points after suffering their first defeat of the campaign.

Ittihad Alexandria Record First Victory

Ittihad Alexandria moved to four points after overcoming newly promoted Abu Qir Fertilizers at Alexandria Stadium. The hosts had to wait until the 68th minute for their breakthrough. Hossam Hassan collected the ball inside the penalty area and found the bottom corner with a left-footed finish.

Abu Qir pushed forward in search of an equaliser, leaving space for Ittihad to exploit during stoppage time. Isaac Saviour completed the 2-0 victory in the 96th minute, securing Hamza El-Gamal’s first league win as Ittihad coach.

Ittihad had started the season with a goalless draw against Zamalek before losing 3-1 to Ceramica. They climbed to ninth, while Abu Qir remained 13th with three points.

Arab Contractors Earn First Points

Mostafa Gamal’s penalty gave Arab Contractors a 1-0 away victory over El Gouna at Khaled Beshara Stadium. The midfielder converted from the spot in the 44th minute to put the visitors ahead shortly before half-time.

El Gouna applied pressure after the break, but the Arab Contractors defence protected its first clean sheet of the season.

The victory lifted Arab Contractors to 12th with three points following two opening defeats. El Gouna remained 15th with two points and are still searching for their first win.

Pyramids continue to lead the Premier League table with nine points from three matches, two ahead of second-placed Zamalek.

Ceramica sit third with six points, ahead of Al Ahly on goals scored. The Red Devils, however, have played only twice and can draw level with Pyramids when they host Smouha in the final Gameweek Three fixture on Thursday.

Al Masry and Tala’ea El Gaish also have six points, while Wadi Degla and Al Qanah follow with five each.

KingFut reported on Tuesday that Ghazl El Mahalla and El Sharkia ENPPI collected their first points in a goalless draw. ZED defeated Tala’ea El Gaish 1-0, while Wadi Degla and Al Qanah also drew 0-0.

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Haissem Hassan made his second consecutive Scottish Premiership start as Celtic defeated Aberdeen to preserve their perfect domestic record.

Haissem Hassan retained his place on the right of Martin O’Neill’s 4-1-4-1 formation and played until the 76th minute at Celtic Park.

The Egypt international finished without a goal or assist but remained involved throughout Celtic’s dominant attacking performance.

He missed a close range opportunity in the 18th minute before creating a chance for Camilo Durán moments later. Aberdeen goalkeeper Marius Müller denied him from outside the penalty area in the 37th minute. Haissem Hassan also sent two left-footed attempts off target after half-time.

Durán had already put Celtic ahead in the 14th minute. Benjamin Nygren supplied the pass before the Colombian striker found the top corner with a left-footed strike from outside the box.

Nygren doubled the hosts’ advantage 20 minutes later, finishing into the bottom corner from the centre of the penalty area.

Aberdeen nearly reduced the deficit when Gavin Molloy headed against the crossbar during first-half stoppage time.

However, Celtic immediately launched a counterattack. Durán carried the ball forward and released Hyun-Jun Yang, who completed the 3-0 victory with a low finish in the 46th minute.

Aberdeen made four substitutions at half-time, but Celtic protected their second clean sheet of the league campaign.

The victory left Celtic top of the Scottish Premiership table with 12 points from four matches. They sit two points above St Mirren and have scored 11 goals while conceding twice.

Wednesday’s appearance was Hassan’s fourth for Celtic across all competitions and his second start. Earlier in the week, KingFut reported that the 24-year-old impressed during his first league start, playing 63 minutes in Celtic’s 2-1 victory over Falkirk.

Hassan joined the Scottish champions from Real Oviedo on a four-year contract in August. Celtic will next visit second-placed St Mirren on Saturday, September 5.

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Doha, Qatar: Qatar SC will look to bounce back from their heavy defeat to Al Sadd when they take on Al Ahli in the opening match of Week 3 of the Qatar Stars League season at Al Thumama Stadium today.

The Kings suffered a 6-2 loss to Al Sadd in the previous round after opening their campaign with a draw against Al Wakrah. They are 11th in the standings with one point, just above bottom side Al Sailiya, who have lost both their matches.

Qatar SC coach Marquez Lopez said his side were focused on getting a positive result against an Al Ahli team strengthened by new signings.

“Our match against Al Ahli is crucial and our goal is to achieve a positive result,” Marquez said.

“The absences are significant, especially when they involve more than one key player. In our first match, we fielded five players who were making their debut, so we are working with the available players and preparing them appropriately.

“Al Ahli are a strong team and they have signed six new players who have strengthened their squad. We expect a tough match against them.”

Al Ahli, meanwhile, are 10th with one point following their entertaining 3-3 draw against Lusail in the previous round. They too are chasing their first win after a similar start to the campaign.

Al Ahli coach Borja Jimenez said his side needed victory to build confidence after dropping points against Lusail.

“We dropped two points in our previous match against Lusail and the team has no option but to win to gain points and confidence to continue the winning streak,” Jimenez said.

“The team is performing well. They just need to secure points and then they will be outstanding in the remaining matches.

“We need focused play against Qatar SC, especially since they are also a strong team and will fight for points. Overcoming them will not be easy, making the match difficult and requiring high concentration to achieve victory.”

The first match kicks off at 5pm before Al Sailiya face Al Arabi at Khalifa International Stadium at 7:15pm.

Al Arabi players during a training session yesterday. They are seeking their first win of the QSL season.

Al Sailiya will be looking to open their account after losing their first two matches, while Al Arabi enter the contest seeking their maiden win after drawing both their opening games.

Al Arabi are sixth with two points, and coach Cosmin Contra expects a difficult test against an opponent desperate to change their early-season fortunes.

“The upcoming match against Al Sailiya is very tough. The fact that the opponent stumbled at the beginning of the season does not mean the match will be easy, but rather increases the danger, especially since they possess excellent attacking players,” Contra said.

“Our team’s tactical system is improving with each match and I have complete confidence in the ability of all players to translate the tactical ideas to the field and return with all three points to strengthen the team’s position in the standings.”

Al Sailiya coach Mirghani Al Zain also acknowledged the challenge posed by Al Arabi but backed his players to respond after their two defeats.

“The match against Al Arabi will be tough and challenging, given the capabilities of the opponents. I have confidence in our players’ ability to perform at the required level and deliver a strong showing,” he said.

“Al Arabi are a strong team and not easy to beat, but we will strive to be a worthy opponent and deliver a performance that will help us achieve the result we are aiming for.”

At the top, Al Sadd and Al Rayyan lead the standings with two wins apiece, followed by Al Shamal and Al Duhail, who have four points each.

Selectorised vs plate-loaded strength machines is one of the most consequential equipment decisions a commercial gym owner in Doha makes, since it directly shapes your budget, your floor layout, and which type of member your facility ultimately attracts. This guide breaks down the real differences, the trade-offs for a Qatar gym floor specifically, and how to decide the right balance between the two.

Understanding the Core Difference

Before comparing costs and use cases, it helps to understand exactly what separates these two equipment categories. In the selectorised vs plate-loaded strength machines decision, the mechanism itself is the starting point.

Selectorised machines use a pin-and-weight-stack system — members adjust resistance by moving a pin up or down a built-in stack of weight plates. This design guides users through a fixed, defined movement path, making it intuitive and safe for beginners with minimal instruction needed.

Plate-loaded machines require members to manually load and remove standard weight plates onto the machine’s carriage, similar to loading a barbell. This offers greater resistance flexibility, often allowing heavier loads than a fixed weight stack, and tends to more closely mimic natural, functional movement patterns.

Cost Comparison for Gym Owners

Plate-loaded equipment is generally the more cost-effective option upfront. Since these machines use standard weight plates that can be shared across multiple stations, gym owners don’t need to purchase a dedicated internal weight stack for each machine — a real space and cost advantage when equipping a full strength zone.

Selectorised equipment typically carries a higher per-unit cost due to the internal weight stack mechanism and pulley system built into each machine, but this cost comes with lower ongoing friction for members, since no plate-swapping is required between sets.

Maintenance and Durability Considerations

Maintenance requirements differ noticeably between the two categories, and this matters significantly for gym owners planning long-term operating costs.

Plate-loaded machines generally require less maintenance overall, since they lack the pulleys and internal weight stacks that are the most common failure points on selectorised equipment. Fewer moving parts translates into fewer service calls over the equipment’s lifespan.

Selectorised machines, while more mechanically complex, are engineered for heavy daily commercial use when sourced from reputable manufacturers, and the pin-and-stack mechanism remains reliable with routine cable and pulley inspection.

Member Experience: Who Uses What

Understanding your membership base is essential to getting the selectorised vs plate-loaded strength machines balance right on your gym floor.

Selectorised machines suit:

• Beginners and members new to strength training who benefit from guided, fixed movement paths
• Members prioritizing quick, efficient workouts without the extra step of loading plates
• Hotel and corporate gyms serving guests or employees unfamiliar with free-weight training

Plate-loaded machines suit:

• Experienced lifters seeking greater resistance flexibility and more natural movement patterns
• Performance-oriented facilities aiming to elevate perceived training quality among serious members
• Gyms with members who train heavier loads than typical weight stacks accommodate

Space Planning: Making the Most of Your Gym Floor

Floor space efficiency is a genuine consideration in the selectorised vs plate-loaded strength machines decision, particularly for gyms working with limited square footage.

Since plate-loaded machines share a common pool of weight plates across multiple stations, gym owners can often fit more plate-loaded stations into the same footprint compared to selectorised machines, which each require their own internal, space-consuming weight stack. For Doha gyms working with premium retail or commercial space, this space efficiency can translate into a genuinely meaningful cost advantage.

Building a Balanced Strength Zone

Rather than choosing one category exclusively, most successful commercial gyms in Qatar build a balanced strength zone incorporating both machine types, matched to their specific membership profile:

1. Start with your member base. A general commercial gym serving a broad membership benefits from a mix — selectorised machines for beginners and general members, plate-loaded stations for the performance-oriented segment.
   
2. Consider your facility type. Hotel and corporate gyms, where guests or employees may be unfamiliar with free-weight or plate-loaded training, typically lean more heavily selectorised. Performance-focused or CrossFit-style facilities lean more heavily plate-loaded.
   
3. Factor in floor space realistically. If square footage is limited, plate-loaded’s space efficiency may tip the balance, particularly for smaller boutique studios.
   
4. Plan for member progression. New members often start on selectorised machines before progressing to plate-loaded equipment as their confidence and strength develop — building a facility that supports this progression path improves long-term member retention.
   

Brands and Sourcing for Qatar Gyms

Whichever balance you choose, sourcing genuine, commercial-grade equipment matters as much as the category decision itself. Authorized distribution ensures manufacturer-backed warranties and long-term reliability under heavy daily use — a critical factor for Doha’s competitive commercial fitness market, where equipment downtime directly affects member satisfaction and retention.

The Bottom Line

There’s no universally correct answer in the selectorised vs plate-loaded strength machines decision — the right balance depends on your specific membership profile, available floor space, and budget. Most well-designed commercial gyms in Qatar incorporate both, using selectorised machines to welcome beginners and plate-loaded equipment to serve and retain more experienced, performance-oriented members.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Which is cheaper for a new gym — selectorised or plate-loaded equipment? Plate-loaded equipment is generally more cost-effective upfront, since weight plates can be shared across multiple stations rather than each machine needing its own internal weight stack.

Q2: Which type of strength machine is better for beginners? Selectorised machines are generally better suited to beginners, since the pin-and-stack system guides users through a fixed, safe movement path with minimal instruction needed.

Q3: Do plate-loaded machines require more maintenance than selectorised machines? Generally no — plate-loaded machines typically require less maintenance, since they lack the pulleys and internal weight stacks that are the most common failure points on selectorised equipment.

Q4: Should a new commercial gym in Doha choose one type exclusively? Most successful commercial gyms incorporate both types, balancing selectorised machines for beginners and general members with plate-loaded equipment for more experienced, performance-focused members.

Q5: Which option saves more floor space? Plate-loaded machines are generally more space-efficient, since a shared pool of weight plates can serve multiple stations, unlike selectorised machines which each require their own dedicated weight stack.

Ready to plan the right strength equipment mix for your gym floor? Explore our commercial plate-loaded equipment range or browse our full commercial gym equipment collection with Sports Village Qatar — trusted since 2006.

Get a Free Consultation →

Sports Village Qatar +974 4450 1166 | [email protected] Building No 86, Street 340, Zone 39, Near Jarir Book Store, Ramada Signal, Salwa Road, Doha, Qatar

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