Al Rayyan coach Michael Laudrup
Round 13 of the Qatar Stars League will begin today with a game put Al Khor, who are struggling at the foot of the table, and will be looking to end the first half of the season with a positive result against the reigning QSL champions Al Rayyan.
Head coach Jean Fernandez spoke to the local media ahead of the game.
“We will play against the Champions, it will be a difficult match for us as everyone is in the QSL. We have played well in the last games. We deserved to win against Al Shahaniya so we will be ready to put in the best performance at home” noted the French tactician. Khor registered a draw last time out to stop a run of five defeats and coach Fernandez believes his side has turned a corner.
“It was very important to stop the run of defeats. After leading 2-0 we where disappointed we could not win, but we where happy with how we played.”
Opening the press conference Al Rayyan coach Michael Laudrup talked up the qualities of his side following their 3-0 over Al Arabi in the Doha Derby. “The team is full of confidence right now, we played well against a good team and we registered a big victory I am very pleased with the performance.”
Al Rayyan put in one of their best performances of the season against Al Arabi, and Laudrup noted that his side are looking to push on to defend their QSL title in the second half of the season. “We showed that we played well and that we can win against Al Arabi and bar a few games this season we have had a good first half. It is up to us to push on in the second half of the season and compete for trophies.”
Al Rayyan will be without two key defenders in Mohammed Alaaeldin and Musa Haroon for the trip to Al Khor, but Laudrup believes his squad will be able to fill for the two right sided defenders.
In the second match of the 12th round, Struggling Al Wakrah take on Al Sailiyah. Blue Waves head coach Kais Yâakoubi spoke to the media ahead of the game.
“Al Sailiyah will be a important test for us before the end of the league. It’s the aim each team wants to finish the first half of the season with a win, that is the same for Al Wakrah,” stressed the Tunisian coach.
Wakrah fell to a 3-1 loss to Umm Salal last time out, and Yâakoubi is hoping for a moral boosting win.
“After Umm Salal our moral was low. I expect a reaction from the players, We have to play with tactical discipline in all of our games,” added the Blue Waves head coach.
As for Al Sailiyah, they have started to push away from the relegation zone and will be targeting a win to give themselves a gap away from the relegation zone. Al Sailiyah’s Tunisian coach Sami Trabelsi gave his thoughts to the media ahead of the game.
Opening up the press conference Trabelsi was quick to praise his opposite number at Al Wakrah. “Kais Yâakoubi is a young sucessful coach, he is going a good job at Al Wakrah. That aside I will be looking to get the win on Wednesday.”
“Al Wakrah are doing well, but the results are not following the performance. We have prepared well for the game, even though the calendar is tight,” noted the veteran QSL coach.
Second placed Lekhwiya take on Al Shahaniya today evening, the Red Knights are undefeated this season in the QSL and will be aiming for a win to place pressure on league leaders Al Sadd. Head coach Djamel Belmadi gave his thoughts to the local press ahead of the game.
The Algerian coach stressed that only a win would do for his title chasing side.
“It’s the last game of the first round, for us against Al Shahaniya we want to win the game before the break.”
“Yeah I am satisfied, we are undefeated in the league we have won the Sheikh Jassim cup and drawn three times in the league,” noted the former Qatar national team boss at the morning press conference, yesterday.
Al Shahaniya head into their match up with Lekhiwya off the back of a 2-2 draw with Al Khor. The Oryxes will be aiming to upset the four time QSL champions today.
On the other hand, Al Shahaniya head coach Jose Fernando stressed his side are looking for a result.
“Lekhwiya are a strong team with good players, but nothing is impossible in football we head into the last game for this part of the season, looking for a positive result.”
Al Shahaniya are fast gaining a reputation of the draw specialists in the QSL this season, however Fernando was eager to stress that he is always aiming for three points with his side.
“One point is important for us but I always aim with my side to go for the win.”
