The Qatar Stars League (QSL) action resumes today with three games primed to make an impact at both ends of the table.
The first match of the day will see Muaither take on Al Shahaniya in a relegation battle at the Al Gharafa Stadium. Phillipe Birol’s side are without a win now in seven league matches and will be targeted to stop the rut against Al Shahaniya, a side who have recently appointed Croatian coach Igor Štimac to lead the side.
Philip Birrol, the head coach of Muaither, has revenge on his mind against Shahaniya, “It will be a battle tomorrow. It’s a very important match for us and we have to win if we want to stay in the league. We lost the first match by 1-0 and now this match will be revenge for us.”
As for the Oryxes, they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Al Rayyan in Stimac’s first game in charge of the club. The former Derby County defender has already labelled this match a six pointer and will be aiming for a reaction for his players.
Relegation is also on the agenda when Al Kharaitiyat, who are currently in the relegation zone, take on 13th placed Al Wakrah at the Al Khor Stadium. The Thunders have been quietly improving over the next few weeks, and head coach Ahmed Ajlani will know a win will push his side out of the relegation zone.
As for Al Wakrah, they come into the tie off the back of a impressive 0-0 draw against title chasing El Jaish. The Blue Waves will be hoping for more of the same again, and look to take some important points off their relegation rivals.
Kais Yâakoubi, the head coach of Al Wakrah, believes both teams are on a similar level, “Both teams are in the same position in terms of standings. They provided a great game against Al Sadd and We also had a good game against El Jaish. We both are Tunisian coaches and we know each other very well. It’s an important match but not crucial as we still have many games left in the season.”
The final game of the day will see two sides with top four ambitions face off. Reigning QSL champions Al Rayyan are currently in fifth spot, one point outside the top four. Michael Laudrup’s side started the new year with a narrow 1-0 victory over Al Shahaniya and will be targeting to register back to back wins against Umm Salal.
Speaking about his team’s targets this season, Laudrup said, “teams like Lekhwiya and Al Sadd are going very strong and the rest of us are trailing them. I think what we have to concentrate now is to be in the top four and that is the target for the club.”
Umm Salal come into the tie on a similar vein of good form, with a 2-1 win over Al Khor.
Umm Salal have already been busy in the transfer window securing Syrian international Mahmoud Al Mayas, they will be hoping he can make an impact in what should be his second start for the side.
