Doha: Two teams with top four ambitions will face off at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on December 4 in Week 11 of the Qatar Stars League (QSL).
Umm Salal will take on Al Arabi, with the respective teams currently occupying fifth and fourth place in the QSL.
The Orange Fortress scored a last-gasp goal to draw 1-1 with Al Wakrah in Week 10, while The Dream Team claimed a 1-0 win over Al Ahli.
Al Arabi currently hold a two-point advantage over Umm Salal, and will be aiming to increase the gap on their rivals in order to cement a place in the top four. A win for Umm Salal, meanwhile, will see them leapfrog their rivals.
Both teams have players in sparkling form going into this crucial game.
Umm Salal’s Ivorian striker Yannick Sagbo scored his eighth goal of the season against Al Wakrah, and he’ll be supported by a front line which includes Ismail Mahmoud, Fabio Cesar and former Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere.
Al Arabi on the other hand, will rely on Paulinho to trouble Umm Salal’s defence. The Brazilian striker has already hit the back of the net seven times this season, and will be aiming to continue his good form on Friday.
Both head coaches have impressed so far this season and will be looking to keep up the momentum on Friday. Al Arabi boss Gianfranco Zola has made a good start in his first QSL campaign, while Umm Salal’s Bulent Uygun will be confident of improving on last season’s seventh-place finish.
Meanwhile, Al Sadd held its first training session under the watchful eyes of new coach Jesualdo Ferreira, who signed with the club last week.
The team will continue their daily training sessions with preparations for the Round 11 match against Al Sailiya in mind, to be played on December 4 at the Al Sadd Stadium.
Al Sadd are currently in the third place with 21 points.
The Peninsula
