DOHA: Al Rayyan captain Rodrigo Tabata (pictured) will be out for up to two weeks after suffering a hamstring tear during his side’s 1-0 victory over Al Khor, details showed yesterday.
Tabata was forced off midway through the first half after being pressured by Khor’s Abdullah Al Yazidi and will definitely miss Rayyan’s round 19 match against Al Arabi on Saturday.
Tabata is the latest Rayyan star to be hit by injury.
Spanish striker Sergio Garcia and South Korean Koh Myong-jin are both spending time in the treatment room, along with Mohammed Salah Al Neel, who recently underwent surgery after suffering a leg fracture during a Qatargas League game against Al Kharaitiyat.
Rayyan, who are currently 16 points clear at the top of the QSL, will resume training today as they look forward to facing Gianfranco Zola’s men.
Meanwhile, it was confirmed that Al Arabi duo Ali Jasimi and Sayed Ashkan will return from suspension for Saturday’s match against runaway QSL leaders Al Rayyan.
Both served one-match suspensions as Zola’s men defeated Lekhwiya 1-0 in round 18.
The win over the Red Knights pushed Al Arabi up to fourth in the league and followed a morale-boosting 3-2 victory over Al Gharafa.
Al Arabi could also have Ahmed Fatehi back for the Al Rayyan match. The Qatari midfielder has been missing in recent weeks after suffering a hamstring injury.
Arabi’s players were given two days off after the Lekhwiya victory and will return to full training today.
The match against Al Rayyan will take place on February 20 at Al Sadd Stadium with kick-off set for 7:15pm.
In another QSL-related development, it emerged that Al Sailiya head coach Sami Trabelsi is set to sign a new contract with the club.
The Tunisian, who took over at Al Sailiya in 2013, is currently negotiating a new deal with the club, according to Head of Football Adbullah Al Hanzab.
Al Sailiya currently sit seventh in the QSL after losing 3-2 in their round 18 encounter with Al Wakrah.
Al Hanzab said: “We value the role Sami Trabelsi has played in improving our club and are in the final stages of negotiating a new contract with him. Trabelsi has added a lot in the last few years and we hope to make an announcement very soon.” Al Hanzab said Al Sailiya must learn from their disappointing defeat to Wakrah.
“The players lacked concentration and fighting spirit. They didn’t take the coach’s instructions on board and suffered a harsh lesson. We must learn from our mistakes ahead of the final eight games of the season.”
Al Hanzab said Al Sailiya weren’t complacent against Al Wakrah following the round 17 victory over reigning champions Lekhwiya.
The Peninsula
