Umm Salal aim to stay unbeaten as QSL round four begins

Umm Salal will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run in the QNB Stars League (QSL) when they take on Al Arabi in the fourth round match today at Al Gharafa Stadium.
The Orange Fortress are having a terrific run with some strong performances which left them only two points adrift of table toppers Al Duhail and Al Sadd.
Umm Salal go into the match with seven points from two wins and one draw and their Egyptian coach Mahmoud Jaber is optimistic that his team would get full points against Al Arabi.
“We’ve had a wonderful start to the season and we’re keen on continuing that way. Against a team like Al Arabi who’ve a good reputation and some outstanding players, we must give off our best in order to register a victory,” Jaber said on the eve of the match.
“The QSL Cup games helped us give chances to players who didn’t play much in the first three rounds of the league. It was good in a way that they all are ready ahead of the match against Al Arabi.”
Jaber said they are focused on taking match-by-match approach.
“Our target is high this time too and we take it game by game. Syrian professional player Mahmoud Al Mawas played two tough games against Australia in the World Cup Asian zone qualification play-off and I’ll have to talk to him and see if he’s ready to play. We’ve equally-good two players in each position and a strong bench, and I’m happy with my players’ performances,” the Egyptian tactician said.
On the other hand, Al Arabi are also on a high following their victory over Qatar SC in the previous round. That win came after two defeats. They are still languishing at the eight position with three points.
Al Arabi coach Qais Yaakoubi said nothing less than three points would satisfy them at the final whistle.
“The victory over Qatar SC in the previous round has done a world of good for us, be it players, technical staff and team management. We felt very good and it has really boosted our confidence. We won’t be satisfied without maximum points from this match,” Yaakoubi said.
“We hope to continue from where we left off. Our players took some time to settle into their stride. We’re still in the process of building a strong side. We hope to achieve it soon.
“In football, each game is difficult. If you ever think that a particular match is easy, then you’ll suffer. I’ve been showing video clippings of matches to our players. At the same time, I tell them it would be a different ball game on the field,” the Tunisian said.
Meanwhile, Al Gharafa will be looking to register their first victory in this season’s QSL when they lock horns with Al Khor today at their home ground.
Al Gharafa are ninth with only two points from two draws and one defeat, while Al Khor are sixth with four points from a victory, draw and defeat each.
In the other match today, fourth-placed Al Sailiya will be keen to extend their good run when they take on Al Kharaitiyat. Coach Sami Trabelsi side have six points from two victories and one loss.
Al Kharaitiyat on the other hand have just a point from their drawn encounter with Al Khor and will be eager to gain first victory in the league this season.