Doha: As the Qatar Stars League (QSL) enters its penultimate week of competition, seventh-placed Al Arabi will be looking to build confidence for the upcoming Emir Cup when they take on tenth-placed Al Sailiya in round 25 today.
“We have improved game by game. In the last two games, we are looking to gain confidence for the Emir Cup. We know the concentration is harder for the Emir Cup as it is end of the season,” Al Arabi coach Jose Daniel Carreno said on Thursday.
“It’s an important game. We are looking to win against Al Sailiya. No absences in our side for this match,” he said.
“Both teams have the same strength points. Al Sailiya are a good team tactically, and are coming into the match after a big win. We have to be aware of this.”
“All players are ready to play in the first team. The last game we gave some squad opportunities, I am confident we have players to use for the end of the season,” Carreno said.
Al Sailiya coach Sami Trabelsi made it clear that his side would not hold back for today’s match.
“It’s an important tie for both teams. Arabi should be fighting for the title and not be in this position, the ambition for us is to win this match,” Trabelsi said.
“I think we are ready for this game. In playing Arabi we are trying to give our best, and this will help our confidence and motivation. For now our aim is to focus well on the league,” he said.
“Harazi will be absent for this match for yellow card accumulation. Overall our season, our performance was good, we played well and players are giving the maximum. Compare us with other big teams and we are in a good place,” Trabelsi added.
Also today, Al Shahaniya and Al Wakrah will be fighting to avoid relegation. Al Wakrah are currently in 12th place and Al Shahaniya are in the relegation zone in 13th place. Both teams desperately need to win their respective matches tonight to stay in the QSL.
Al Shahaniya face Al Shamal in a bottom of the table clash and after last week’s draw against Lekhwiya, coach Luka Bonacic is hopeful about his side’s chances.
“Our Ambition is to win this match. This tie represents our season…we must get the three points,” Bonacic said. “The last match against Lekhwiya was a good game for us, it gave us plenty of confidence that we can overhaul Wakrah and stay in the QSL.”
“Shamal is a similar side to us. We respect them; they have two good strikers and a good midfield. I think it will be an open game. But we need to take advantage of this open tie and take our chances, after all we will need the three points to survive in this league,” Bonacic said.
Al Wakrah coach Goran Tufegdzic made it clear that it was a do-or-die moment for his team.
“This match is very important in Wakrah’s season. The squad is motivated. The math is simple. We need to win to stay in the league for now, we are above Shahania and we intend to win against Al Khor,” he said.
“Our team will easily find motivation in this tie with Al Khor. Our squad is fit and ready we have no injuries for my side,” Tufegdzic said. “We cannot look to the Shamal match. I have told my squad to focus on their game completely...We now need good results in our final matches. It is still in our hands,” he added.
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