DOHA: Al Rayyan’s irresistible form this season has helped them win accolades on and off the pitch.
Yesterday, Qatar Stars League (QSL) named Al Rayyan striker Rodrigo Tabata as the ‘Player of the Month’ while team coach Jorge Fossati (pictured) was declared ‘Coach of the Month’.
Rodrigo picked up his award at Al Rayyan’s training pitches.
This is the Brazilian midfielder’s second player of the month in a row after picking up the October award.
Tabata’s average performance rating was 89.5 during November, as his side maintained their unbeaten run the in QSL.
The Brazilian striker scored a total of six goals in November, including a four-goal haul in the 9-0 victory over Qatar Sports Club.
He was also instrumental in the top of the table clash against rivals El Jaish scoring the winner in the 87th minute to ensure all three points for the Lions.
Al Rayyan also became the first side in QSL history to register 10 victories from the start of the season with Tabata instrumental in his side’s current seven-point lead at the top of the table.
Physical Analysis from Prozone suggests that Tabata made an average of 51.3 sprints in November, which is way above the average for an attacking midfielder in the QSL of 37.6.
Not only this but in November Tabata’s average running distance clocked in on average at 2272.7 meters per game, again considerably higher than any player in Tabata’s position in the QSL which on average is 1895.9 meters.
In terms of technical data, Al Rayyan’s midfielder made an average of 10.7 Penalty area entries in the month of November, which goes in some way to explaining his impressive haul of six goals in just three games.
Also the attacking midfielder received an average of 44.7 passes in November, again which is significantly higher than the QSL average of 40.18.
With the Brazilian in such a rich vein of form at the moment, you would not be surprised if the Al Rayyan captain picked up the player of the month for December. This would be an unprecedented record for any player in the QSL.
Meanwhile, Fossati has been awarded the best coach for the third consecutive month.
Fossati has led Al Rayyan to three wins in November.
Maintaining their unbeaten run in the league to a now record breaking ten games in a row, victories over Al Wakrah, Qatar SC and El Jaish ensured the award for the Uruguayan tactician.
Under Fossati Al Rayyan have averaged 406 successful passes per match.
Crucially the one touch successful passes reached an average of 98 per match, while the crosses an average of 20.3 per game. Which are all well above the average indicators for QSL sides.
In front of goal, Al Rayyan scored 13 goals in November and this reflected in the average number of shots on the goal which reached 12 shots per match.
High intensity work has been the hall-mark of this Al Rayyan side and it’s reflected in the average distance covered by each player which was at 12 km.
The statistics provided by Prozone form the basis of the judgement criteria for the player and coach of the month.
Further analysis shows that high passing stats enables Rayyan to control the ball and to create many goal scoring opportunities.
Al Rayyan players also have the highest rates of physical fitness and coupled with a miserly defence having conceded only two goals in November.
Al Rayyan are currently 7 points clear at the top of QSL.
Meanwhile, it was confirmed Lekhwiya midfielder Vladimir Weiss is back in contention for his side’s round 11 match against Al Wakrah. The Slovakia midfielder was suspended for his side’s 4-2 victory over Al Sadd in round 10 of the QSL, after picking up his fourth yellow card of the season against Al Khor. Djamel Belmadi’s side will be looking to register their third win in a row, as they are looking to propel themselves into the QSL title picture.
Weiss has been a key player for the defending QSL champions and has scored five goals so far this season.
Lekhwiya will face Al Wakrah tomorrow at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, with kick-off set for 4:00pm.
THE PENINSULA
