Doha: Former champions Al Gharafa will look to the future instead of dwelling on disappointing past results, new coach Pedro Caixinha said on Thursday.
Al Gharafa roped in Caixinha last week to make an impression in the second phase of Qatar Stars League (QSL).
Bottom-placed Mesaimeer are the rivals for 10th-placed Al Gharafa today at Al Wakrah Stadium.
“We know that what belongs to the past stays in the past. We are not worried about the past. We start a new cycle now. And the best possible way will be to start with getting three points,” Caixinha said at his maiden press conference on Thursday.
“We are focussed on our team. We have started working yesterday and we believe in the quality of our players. We believe in the history and philosophy of our club and hope that the team will play with confidence and to the potential that we posses and do everything to get the three points so that we can start this phase well,”Caixinha said.
“Doing an analysis of our opponent is one of the tests that we do before every match. But right now we are focussing only on our team.
“We need to know our opponent and we will do some research today and tomorrow but for the moment we are focussing on our identity and our style of play rather than the opponents,” Caixinha said.
“I believe in having a strong relationship between the top and the bottom. I have worked in this region before and Al Gharafa is a team that everybody always speaks about. So we are talking about a big club. Let’s however not dwell on the past.”
“Football is all about being in the moment. And we want to start with confidence. That’s the first step. The team has the potential and the will to change the course of events. And we believe that we will express that on the pitch. “I totally trust in the structure of the club. I believe in the management. This is a game where the players take centre stage. They are the main actors in this act. I believe in their work and I do believe in my work too which is the main connection.
“This is the start of a new cycle for the team. I am looking at our season having just 12 matches. This means that we are playing for a championship with just 36 points on offer. And the main challenge for us is to finish in the top 4 within such a small time. That is our target,” Caixinha said.
“I fully trust the players. I have the same belief in them as they have in me,” he added.
There will be a total of four matches in round 15 today.
In the 16:15 kick-off Al Khor entertain Al Arabi at Al Khor stadium. The Knights have a good record against the top sides in the QSL this season, and our unbeaten in the last two matches in the league. Whilst in the other 16:15 kick-off QSC will face Lekhwiya.
The Kings are currently struggling in the QSL relegation zone, and will be hoping for a big result against Lekhwiya who have stabilized after a bad run of form. Lekhwiya have won their last six QSL matches, including comprehensive 4-0 victories over Al Gharafa and Al Ahli. The Red Knights are very much in the Top 4 picture, and will hope that rivals Al Rayyan can slip up further so they can get into the title race.
THE PENINSULA
Doha: Former champions Al Gharafa will look to the future instead of dwelling on disappointing past results, new coach Pedro Caixinha said on Thursday.
Al Gharafa roped in Caixinha last week to make an impression in the second phase of Qatar Stars League (QSL).
Bottom-placed Mesaimeer are the rivals for 10th-placed Al Gharafa today at Al Wakrah Stadium.
“We know that what belongs to the past stays in the past. We are not worried about the past. We start a new cycle now. And the best possible way will be to start with getting three points,” Caixinha said at his maiden press conference on Thursday.
“We are focussed on our team. We have started working yesterday and we believe in the quality of our players. We believe in the history and philosophy of our club and hope that the team will play with confidence and to the potential that we posses and do everything to get the three points so that we can start this phase well,”Caixinha said.
“Doing an analysis of our opponent is one of the tests that we do before every match. But right now we are focussing only on our team.
“We need to know our opponent and we will do some research today and tomorrow but for the moment we are focussing on our identity and our style of play rather than the opponents,” Caixinha said.
“I believe in having a strong relationship between the top and the bottom. I have worked in this region before and Al Gharafa is a team that everybody always speaks about. So we are talking about a big club. Let’s however not dwell on the past.”
“Football is all about being in the moment. And we want to start with confidence. That’s the first step. The team has the potential and the will to change the course of events. And we believe that we will express that on the pitch. “I totally trust in the structure of the club. I believe in the management. This is a game where the players take centre stage. They are the main actors in this act. I believe in their work and I do believe in my work too which is the main connection.
“This is the start of a new cycle for the team. I am looking at our season having just 12 matches. This means that we are playing for a championship with just 36 points on offer. And the main challenge for us is to finish in the top 4 within such a small time. That is our target,” Caixinha said.
“I fully trust the players. I have the same belief in them as they have in me,” he added.
There will be a total of four matches in round 15 today.
In the 16:15 kick-off Al Khor entertain Al Arabi at Al Khor stadium. The Knights have a good record against the top sides in the QSL this season, and our unbeaten in the last two matches in the league. Whilst in the other 16:15 kick-off QSC will face Lekhwiya.
The Kings are currently struggling in the QSL relegation zone, and will be hoping for a big result against Lekhwiya who have stabilized after a bad run of form. Lekhwiya have won their last six QSL matches, including comprehensive 4-0 victories over Al Gharafa and Al Ahli. The Red Knights are very much in the Top 4 picture, and will hope that rivals Al Rayyan can slip up further so they can get into the title race.
THE PENINSULA
