DOHA: Defending champions Lekhwiya are desperate to regain lost ground after the country’s football giants were shocked by Al Arabi in round five of Qatar Stars League (QSL) last week.
Brazilian striker Dutra Junior struck a hat-trick as Giangranco Zola’s side upset QSL champions 3-2.
“After our last loss we want to win, to have a strong reaction. And it’s good that we have this opportunity against El Jaish, Lekhwiya coach Djamel Belmadi said yesterday.
“We are going to play a big game against Jaish. As everybody knows it’s a big club, another difficult game for us,” the Algerian added.
Belmadi saw confusion at the Lekhwiya backline in the loss against Al Arabi.
“We played well in the first half. We didn’t panic after conceding a goal in the first minute. That’s a good sign for me. But then we had a different second half where we switched off just for 10-15 minutes I would say,” Belmadi explained.
“But I would like to point out that every club has 1-2 players in the national team. Al Sadd have 4-5 players away for the break. But I had 10-11 players who were away. So they could have been tired. It’s not just about the individual players but the team as a whole dropped in performance,” he added.
“We were not nervous. We dropped our level and played in a different way as compared to way we play. And it’s important for me to know why we did that.
“It’s always tough to play against El Jaish. But I prefer to play against El Jaish after our loss than against any smaller team,” Belmadi said.
“The team that will have the best preparation is the team that will have the best chance to win the title. Of course it’s the moment to be together, to be very tight, to keep our energy and our focus. I am not worried about the tough games ahead. I know the quality of my players and I know the spirit,” he said.
Belmadi said QSL had become a league where there were six sides dominating the game instead of four.
“I can see that this season the league has become more exciting,” Belmadi said.
“At least six teams are doing very good this season. This was not the case in the last two seasons. This is a good sign for everybody,” he added.
El Jaish coach Sabri Lamouchi admitted Lekhwiya is a case of ‘clear and present danger.’
“It’s going to be a difficult game. I am happy to play games like this against Lekhwiya,” Lamouchi said. “We are playing the champions and one of the best teams in Qatar. They have good players who have been together for a long time. For sure the game will be difficult.
“We know that we are playing against a team that’s playing for the title. We have prepared well for this game,” he added.
“If you say that it’s a difficult situation when they lose one game, then that’s unfair. They are a big team. They have a good coach and the players know each other.
“I don’t think a lot about their prowess. It doesn’t matter which 11 players take to the field for Lekhwiya, it will be a difficult match for us,” Lamouchi said.
“We know that the next game will be very different. Lekhwiya have lost their last game. So for us we must give the same performance. It won’t be easy. We play against Lekhwiya not in a good time. Now we need to focus on our performance and hope to do well against them,” El Jaish coach said.
“To win three games in five games can’t be called unstable results. We have stability (to win),” Lamouchi said to a question. “I don’t think that El Jaish started a season before without any defeat in five games. I am happy with the performance of my team. Stability of performance is alright but not so in results,” he said.
THE PENINSULA
