It’s a do-or die situation for bottom sitters Al Wakrah as they head into the last three rounds of the Qatar Stars League (QSL).
With just 14 points in their kitty, coach Kais Yaakoubi’s side has to win all their remaining matches in order to avoid the drop to second division.
Today at the Al Wakrah Stadium, the Blue Waves will take on another relegation threatened side Al Khor in the Round 24 match of the QSL.
Following new Qatar Football Association rules, teams that finish 12th, 13th and 14th place will automatically be relegated, the eleventh place team will go for a play-off against Qatar Sports Club, the second-placed team in the Qatargas League.
Coach Jean Fernandez are also in the drop zone with 21 points and will be looking for a win in today’s match to make their position safe in the league.
Fernandez opposite number knows that only a positive result from the remaining matches will keep them afloat in the QSL
“We are in the final games of the season, nine points to play for. We need to win all of our games now and wait for other results. The task seems to be impossible but anything is possible in football. In the last four seasons Al Wakrah have battled from this position before. Mathematically we have a chance and we will be playing for hope against Al Khor.”
The Blue Waves have only picked up two wins from 23 matches. Their first win was against Al Khor in mid-December.
“We registered our first win against Al Khor this season, we will keep that victory in mind going into the game today. We prepared the team well during the break, this win against Al Khor could start the great escape for us,” Tunisian tactician said.
Yaakoubi said that it will be tough match.
“Al Khor are also in a tough situation, however ours is not the best either. We have no excuses going into this match because our situation is critical. My message to my players is to get ready for our championship in the next three games, we need three wins then we will leave it to fate.”
Al Khor head into the match knowing that a victory would effectively relegate their rivals, and boost their survival chances no end.
“We have prepared the team well in this match, we played friendly games which were useful in getting the team ready for the final three games for the season. We are in a similar position as Al Wakrah, and the game will show our real abilities, both teams will play for the win.”
“The only option for us is to win, I only play to win. Especially when we take on a team who like us is fighting for survival. We are not thinking of the play-off we are just focusing on the Wakrah match” added the French tactician.
“We have to take the positives. We must win in order survive in the league.”
In the other matches today, seventh placed Al Ahli will take on tenth placed Al Kharaitiyat at the Al Ahli Stadium.
Despite facing many injury blows this season; the Brigadiers have shown great fighting spirit as exemplified by their 3-2 win over Al Sailiyah last time out. Al Kharaitiyat, on the other hand are just above the drop zone with twenty-five points and will be looking for the win to improve their survival chances.
Al Arabi and Al Shahaniya will lock horns at the Al Arabi stadium. The Dream Team has seen a host of managerial changes this season will be looking for stability in their side and to register a win over their struggling opponents. IIgor Stimac’s Al Shahania are in the drop zone in twelfth place and will be hoping for their first win since their victory over Al Sailiyah in October.
Second from bottom Al Muaither will be in for a tough challenge against ninth placed Sailiya at the Al Gharafa stadium. Philip Birrol’s men have lost their last three matches despite coming close to registering a point against El Jaish in the last round. Sami Trabelsi’s Al Sailiya will fight for all three points and will be flying high off the back of their closely fought 3-2 win over Al Gharafa last time out.
All four matches kick off at 6.20pm.
