DOHA: Former Qatar Stars League (QSL) champions Al Gharafa will be looking to pocket three points and a jump in the points race today when they take on Qatar SC in a round-six clash.
Hosts Al Gharafa — who won the last of their three consecutive QSL titles in the 2007-08 season — have won three out of five games to stand at number three on the points table behind leaders Lekhwiya and second-placed Al Sadd.
Last week, Al Gharafa took on an under-performing Al Sailiya side that desperately need a win to get their stuttering season back on track.
The “Peregrines” had finished last season by getting into the Emir Cup final and finishing in the top four of the QSL. But the league’s surprise package last season are failing to live up to the hype this season and know that the “Cheetahs” will be tough opponents under new head coach Marcos Paqueta.
Al Gharafa will be hoping for a victory on home soil at the Thani Bin Jassim Stadium today.
In another game today, Al Arabi face Al Kharaitiyat at Grand Hamad Stadium while Al Khor host Al Shahaniya at Al Khor Stadium.
Meanwhile, the September coach of the month award was announced by the QSL’s Football Development department. The award went to new head coach Radhi Shenaishil after he managed to make an “about turn” with what looked like a team destined for a tough season.
After carefully analyzing the Prozone statistics against the league’s own benchmark targets this month, the award went to Qatar SC’s new head coach.
Qatar SC had a disastrous start to the season with two big losses; first they were hammered 5-0 by Lekhwiya and then lost badly to Al Ahli 3-1. This left the club’s administration conflicted about the trajectory of the team.
Out went Ivan Hasek and in came Iraqi head coach Shenaishil, his affect was immediate and positive. Shenaishil brought the Kings back to winning ways getting a total of 9 points from three matches.
They beat Al Sailiya 3-2, Al Shahania 4-0 and Al Khor 1-0. They created 17 chances and managed to only have 6.5 chances against them, in the processes scored eight goals and conceded just two.
In another proud moment for Qatar SC, new attacking signing Hamdi Harbaoui was presented with the Player of the Month award at the club’s training ground.
The Player of the Month award recognizes the best QSL player each month of the season. The recipient is chosen by the Competition and Football Development department according to statistical benchmarks set out at the beginning of the season.
The Tunisian signing has been a sensation for the Kings this season and has shown why the club made him their main summer target. Harbaoui is no stranger to goal, having previously been top scorer in the Belgian Pro League (22 goals).
The Tunisian has done what he does best scoring four goals in three appearances this month.
His statistics this month have been most impressive, chief among them the four goals and two assists that means he directly contributed to six goals this season, three of which have been from inside the area and one from just outside.
The 29-year-old’s performance rating was very high (96 per cent), which was higher than the previous winner Mojtaba Jabari (95 per cent). He participated in 96.5 per cent of the three matches this month, which indicates his importance to the team.
Compared to the QSL average for attackers, Harbaoui has a high sprint distance of 350m and an average recovery time of 38 seconds, this shows his fitness and strong work ethic. He contributes greatly with his pace and energy and keeps the back four of his opponents busy and stretched.
He receives 26 passes compared to the QSL average of 25, which means he is heavily involved in the build-up play of his club and links up well with his team-mates.
Over three games, he has an average of six shots per game at goal with the majority being from inside the area, which is double the normal average for a QSL striker.
THE PENINSULA
