Al Sadd aim to halt slide as Al Shahania await

Doha, Qatar: Three defeats in succession across competitions have left Al Sadd facing an unfamiliar situation, with the defending Qatar Stars League champions needing an immediate response when they open the seventh round against Al Shahania at Khalifa International Stadium today.

Having won their first four league matches, Al Sadd have suffered back-to-back defeats to Al Arabi and Al Duhail, with an AFC Champions League Elite loss to Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal in between. The slide has cost them their early momentum and left them second on 12 points, two behind leaders Al Rayyan.

For a club accustomed to setting the pace, consecutive league defeats are a rare setback. Coach Razvan Lucescu wants his players to respond before the gap at the top widens, with Al Arabi and Al Duhail also level on 12 points.

“The match against Al Shahania is extremely important for us. We must stay focused and perform at our best to return to winning ways,” Lucescu said.

“I expect a strong reaction from the players. We need to work hard, fight and give everything we have to get back on the winning track.”

Midfielder Moaz Al Wadie echoed his coach’s determination, stressing that the objective was to take all three points and regain confidence in the league campaign.

“Our goal is to beat Al Shahania and we look forward to continuing our hard work and delivering our best performance,” he said, while calling on the fans to support the team.

Al Shahania, eighth with seven points, also need a response after a 6-0 thrashing by Al Arabi. Coach Younes Ali said the focus had been on the players’ mentality as they look to put that result behind them.

“We need to respond strongly, overcome the setback and deliver a better performance,” he said.

“Al Sadd are a difficult opponent, but we are determined to show a level of play that reflects our players’ capabilities and the club’s ambitions.”

Al Gharafa and Al Ahli eye crucial points

The second match sees Al Gharafa play Al Ahli at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium, with both sides looking to improve their league positions after disappointing results.

Al Gharafa are 10th with five points, having drawn goalless with leaders Al Rayyan in the previous round.

Assistant coach Antonio Henriques said the short turnaround between matches was familiar to a side accustomed to competing in the AFC Champions League Elite, but the target remained clear.

“Our preparations are going well despite the short time between games, and our goal is to secure the three points,” he said.

Henriques warned against underestimating Al Ahli, who sit seventh with seven points after a 3-0 defeat to Al Wakrah.

“They are a strong side, both individually and collectively. They prefer to maintain possession, but we have our own capabilities and know exactly what we need to do,” he said.

Al Gharafa goalkeeper Khalifa Ababacar described the match as an opportunity to give their season fresh impetus, with victory offering a chance to climb away from the lower half of the standings.

For Al Ahli, coach Borja Jimenez has stressed the need to correct the mistakes that proved costly against Al Wakrah. With both teams seeking to regain momentum, the result could prove important to their efforts to close the gap on the top six.

QSL ROUND 7 FIXTURES 
Today

Al Shahania vs Al Sadd
Khalifa International Stadium | 5:30pm

Al Gharafa vs Al Ahli
Thani Bin Jassim Stadium | 7:45pm

Tomorrow
Al Shamal vs Qatar SC
Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium | 5:30pm
Al Sailiya vs Al Rayyan
Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium | 7:45pm

On Saturday
Al Wakrah vs Al Arabi
Khalifa International Stadium | 5:30pm

Al Duhail vs Lusail
Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium | 7:45pm