Shahania coach Igor Štimac and player Álvaro Mejía, attending a press conference in Doha yesterday.
Al Shahania will be looking for a win in the do-or-die battle as they aim to retain their place in the Qatar Stars League (QSL).
The Oryxes are expecting a tough test from Qatar Gas League outfit Qatar SC in the one-off relegation play-off match to be played today at Lekhwiya Stadium at 6.20pm.
The winner of the clash will be playing in next season’s QSL while the losing side will be going down in the second division.
Shahania head coach Igor Štimac will be hoping that his side are ready and raring to fight for their QSL status in this one-off encounter.
Štimac is grateful for play-off live line.
“We are very happy for the chance to play in the play-off. It’s another ninety minutes to prove that we belong in the QSL, to prove we are well organized and deserve to stay in the QSL,” Stimac said while talking to journalists on the eve of the match.
Al Shahania finished the QSL season in twelfth place with twenty-two points
Štimac said Qatar SC is a strong team and his team was fully geared up for the challenge.
“I have seen them (Qatar SC) play a couple of times and their most recent matches. They are a great club with great history; they have good quality players and have a lot of potential. They must be respected otherwise you will be punished. We analysed their weaknesses and strengths and we use this information to play the best match we can,” added the Croatian tactician.
“Since I arrived in December I feel like everybody in our club is like one big family. I have trust in my players as they have improved their game since we started working together. We need to improve in some parts like scoring but I am quite happy with what we have achieved and I hope Al Shahania becomes an integral part of Qatari football,” he said yesterday.
Shahania will have a fully fit squad for the game after resting a host of players in their 2-2 draw with QSL champions Lekhwiya in the final game of the QSL season. One player expected to play some part is Iranian attacker Rahim Zahivi who has been missing recently through injury.
“We had big expectations with Rahim but with injury problems he wasn’t lucky. We are expecting him to take part in some of the game. We will be very happy if he is involved in the game,” Stimac said.
Álvaro Mejía, captain of Al Shahania said they were ready for the big task.
“It’s a chance to stay in the league. It’s a final and we know Qatar SC is a good team. We believe in our team and the coach. We have a tough game ahead of us and we will give it our all in the 90 minutes.”
“We have to take care about everything in the game. We analysed the opponent and we train accordingly. It’s a good game to play for us, it will have good atmosphere and it’s nice to be part of it,” added the Spanish defender.
Qatar SC on the other hand ensured a play-off spot after finishing second in the Qatar Gas League.
The club is hungry to get back into the QSL following their relegation last term.
