Doha: Football fans in Doha will have the opportunity to witness a fierce Qatar Stars League battle once again when the two local rivals Al Ahli and Al Arabi meet in a derby match with ramifications on the QSL relegation battle and race for top 4.
The game will take place on Friday, March 18 and the kick-off is set for 8.15pm at Al Ahli stadium.
Both sides head into the tie on the back of moral boosting wins in round 22 of the QSL, and will look to push on in the remaining rounds for the highest possible finish in the QSL standings.
Al Ahli registered a big 4-2 win against Umm Salal with the help of some outstanding ball-play by attackers Mouchine Iajour and Meshal Abdulla who ensured that the Brigadiers pulled away from the QSL relegation zone, effectively securing their status in Qatar’s top division for another year.
Now with safety effectively assured, Yosef Adam’s side will be looking to register back to back wins for the first time in the league since October.
Veteran Midfielder Meshal Abdullah has been in fantastic form this season and is currently fourth in the race for the top scorers award with 15 goals and will be looking to score some more against Al Arabi.
Al Arabi go into the derby clash on a high following a big 2-0 victory over second placed El Jaish.
Gianfranco Zola’s side has often been charged with inconsistency this season.
However they got everything right against Jaish scoring two quick fire goals in the first half to down Jaish.
Arabi will certainly be looking for a repeat of their 1-0 victory over Ahli back in November, when a penalty from Arabi captain Paulinho was enough to separate the two sides.
The Dream team is now in fifth place in the QSL standings, and head the chasing pack for the Qatar Cup places.
They are currently five points behind fourth placed Al Sadd.
If Gianfranco Zola’s team can keep their form, Al Arabi could push Sadd all the way for a top four finish.
Brazilian midfielder Alain Souza has made a real impact on the side since signing in January, his pace and creative flair have aided Arabi on the break against many sides in the QSL.
Al Arabi have been handed a boost ahead the crunch tie as they regained the services of defender Adel Lami and midfielder Abdullah Marafee back from suspension.
Both players joined up with the squad on Sunday evening as they begun preparations for their Friday evening clash.
Club captain Boualem Khoukhi will be unavailable for Arabi after picking up his fourth yellow card of the season in the 2-0 victory over El Jaish.
The Qatari international has been a mainstay in the team this season, and his absence will be seen as a major blow for the team. The Peninsula
Doha: Football fans in Doha will have the opportunity to witness a fierce Qatar Stars League battle once again when the two local rivals Al Ahli and Al Arabi meet in a derby match with ramifications on the QSL relegation battle and race for top 4.
The game will take place on Friday, March 18 and the kick-off is set for 8.15pm at Al Ahli stadium.
Both sides head into the tie on the back of moral boosting wins in round 22 of the QSL, and will look to push on in the remaining rounds for the highest possible finish in the QSL standings.
Al Ahli registered a big 4-2 win against Umm Salal with the help of some outstanding ball-play by attackers Mouchine Iajour and Meshal Abdulla who ensured that the Brigadiers pulled away from the QSL relegation zone, effectively securing their status in Qatar’s top division for another year.
Now with safety effectively assured, Yosef Adam’s side will be looking to register back to back wins for the first time in the league since October.
Veteran Midfielder Meshal Abdullah has been in fantastic form this season and is currently fourth in the race for the top scorers award with 15 goals and will be looking to score some more against Al Arabi.
Al Arabi go into the derby clash on a high following a big 2-0 victory over second placed El Jaish.
Gianfranco Zola’s side has often been charged with inconsistency this season.
However they got everything right against Jaish scoring two quick fire goals in the first half to down Jaish.
Arabi will certainly be looking for a repeat of their 1-0 victory over Ahli back in November, when a penalty from Arabi captain Paulinho was enough to separate the two sides.
The Dream team is now in fifth place in the QSL standings, and head the chasing pack for the Qatar Cup places.
They are currently five points behind fourth placed Al Sadd.
If Gianfranco Zola’s team can keep their form, Al Arabi could push Sadd all the way for a top four finish.
Brazilian midfielder Alain Souza has made a real impact on the side since signing in January, his pace and creative flair have aided Arabi on the break against many sides in the QSL.
Al Arabi have been handed a boost ahead the crunch tie as they regained the services of defender Adel Lami and midfielder Abdullah Marafee back from suspension.
Both players joined up with the squad on Sunday evening as they begun preparations for their Friday evening clash.
Club captain Boualem Khoukhi will be unavailable for Arabi after picking up his fourth yellow card of the season in the 2-0 victory over El Jaish.
The Qatari international has been a mainstay in the team this season, and his absence will be seen as a major blow for the team. The Peninsula
