El Jaish’s coach Sabri Lamouchi
Doha: Qatar Stars League (QSL) leaders El Jaish want to forget their semi-final from the AFC Champions League in a hurry when they take on champions Al Rayyan in the fourth Round match here today.
The Qartari side fell in the semi-final hurdle to an aggregate score of 5-3 to Al Ain in the AFC Champions League.
El Jaish coach Sabri Lamouchi is expecting his boys to bury the disappointment and come up with a fitting response in the ?QSL matches.
“We need to come back in the league and try and lift the league title. We will face a good team with a new coach and a new philosophy; the game will be hard for us. El Jaish are in good form at the moment, and we will be looking to continue this form against the champions Al Rayyan.”
Reflecting on his sides Champions League campaign, Lamouchi was proud of his side.
“We learned lots from the Champions League run. It was a great experience and great adventure I am so proud of my players. I trusted my players immensely and we showed our quality and identity in these games.”
“For me this match is not a test, I know the team and the players very well. They just need to repeat their performance that we have shown in the league so far against Al Rayyan” claimed the Frenchman at the pre match press conference.
Lamouchi ended the press conference stressing that he is focusing on the work of his side going into the match of the week clash.
“I respect Al Rayyan they are a big club and have a big manager now. I am not worried about Al Rayyan going into the match. I am only focusing on El Jaish going into this match. My team will not be lacking motivation after the defeat against Al Ain, we are playing a good side in Al Rayan and my players will be focused and wanting to get a win after the game.”
Lekhwiya coach Michael Laudrup evealed his excitement for the match against El Jaish: “For us it’s an interesting game. We are playing the top of a table side. It will be good to see the level of Al Rayyan this season. I am looking forward to the game, there are lots of good players in each side. El Jaish did very well in the AFC Champions League and where unlucky to miss out. This will be a tough test for Al Rayyan.”
“I was pleased with the play against Al Sailiya, we did so many good things. But we were not effective in front of goal, if we were a little more effective we could have won by two or three goals. But that is football, we created chances and the day Al Rayyan doesn’t create challenges will be the day that I am worried” reflected Laudrup on his sides 1-1 draw last time out.
This will be Laudrup’s second game in charge of the Lions and is confident that his side are successfully adapting to his training methods. “I have made some changes to the system of play. Time is important and day by day we are working with the players to get well. We have good players who train hard and are willing to earn so I am optimistic.”
Meanwhile in the other match,
Al Wakrah fresh from picking up their first point of the season Al Wakrah are targeting a shock against Lekhiwya today.
Head coach Mauricio Larriera said”
Opening up the press conference Larriera was clear that this will be a tough game for his side. “We have a difficult game, for me against one of the best teams in Qatar. A team who individually or as a group are doing well. Their only target is the league, so they will be dangerous. One advantage for us is that this game is at our stadium and we will make it difficult for Lekhwiya.”
