Third placed Al Rayyan will be aiming to finish their 2017 Qatar Stars League (QSL) engagements on a flourish when they take on Al Khor in the last round match tomorrow.
Coach Michael Laudrup side, which is one of the two QSL sides playing in the AFC Champions League (ACL), will be very keen to finish among the top three, with an eye on qualifying for next year’s (ACL).
Although coach Jean Fernandez's side is languishing in the 11th place with 25 points, Laudrup predicted that his side will face a stern test on Friday as his rivals have nothing to fear for as they have avoided the drop to second division.
The Dane said having lost to the same side in the first leg his boys were eager to get back the record straight.
“The game has changed now for Al Khor, the pressure is off them now but both sides will still be looking to win the match and end the domestic season well. Al Khor defeated us earlier in the season 2-1 and we will be aiming to avenge this defeat,” Al Rayyan coach Laudrup said on the eve of the match.
Al Rayyan drew their last two match of the QSL and ACL and coach Laudrup wants to get back to winning ways.
“We have not won our last two games, but we have played well against Al Arabi and Persepolis. Now we need to keep up the momentum going into tough games in the Qatar Cup and AFC Champions league” added Laudrup.
The Al Rayyan coach is toying with the idea of bringing about some changes in the line- up.
“Sebastian will be absent through suspension, we will be looking at some players and changing the players who have played in the recent games. One change will be Musa Haroon who will play at centre back.”
With the merger of El Jaish and Lekhwiya, Al Khor are now safe from the threat of relegation. Knights boss Jean Fernandez is happy that his team avoided the relegation.
“We have achieved our goal of surviving this season, and we will have a tough match against an Al Rayyan side who has done very well in the AFC Champions League this season,” Fernandez said.
“I will look to change some players for the game, I will be assessing the squad over the next few days to decide” added the Frenchman.
Al Khor’s coach said his team is now focused on the Emir Cup.
“Now we are safe, we will use this match as preparation for the Emir Cup. We defeated Al Rayyan last time in the league and we are aiming to beat them again, which will be a real achievement for my side” he added.
