Doha: Leading the Qatar Stars League (QSL) points table with eight victories in a row, mighty Al Rayyan will not take the struggling Qatar SC lightly as they target yet another victory, today at Al Sadd Stadium.
At a pre-match press conference yesterday, Al Rayyan’s head coach Jorge Fossati hoped his team would come with an improved show after a two-week break.
“We have used this international break to work on two aspects. We first focused on the physical fitness of the players and in the second phase we worked on the tactical and technical aspect of the game,” said Al Rayyan coach.
“This match will be a tough one for us. Qatar SC is going through a tough patch this season but they are the team that finished fourth last time around.”
“I respect the Qatar SC team despite the difficult conditions they are experiencing currently. But they are still a great team. They have missed the services of striker Hamdi Harboui but now they have found a good replacement in Dagano. I also think that bringing in former head coach Lazaroni has been a good decision. He is capable of getting the team back on track.”
Fossati said maximum points is the only target for his team, going into today’s match.
“At Rayyan we are looking to win all matches and continue to lead the table. I am confident in the ability of my players to maintain the good work they are doing and continue getting the good results that we have been able to achieve so far.”
“We will be looking to win the match, which will give us the three points and also our ninth win in a row.”
Qatar SC’s head coach Sebastiao Lazaroni admitted a tough task ahead of his struggling side.
“This match against Al Rayyan will be very difficult for us considering the strength of the opponent. They are currently at the top of the standings and have won eight games in a row. It will be tough for us but we are up for the fight and are keen to get maximum points from this match,” he said.
“My players will have to capitalise on any opportunity that comes their way and remain focused at all times during the match. We have to be at the very top of our abilities if we want to achieve the desired result. We will have to ensure that we do not make any individual mistakes and work as a team.”
“I believe that my players are ready for this match and they are willing to give it their all to get a win against such a powerful opponent. There is a strong desire from everyone in the team to achieve a positive result from this match.”
“We believe that if we give it our best then we are capable of defeating Rayyan. This is football. Nothing is impossible. This will be a good match and the players are looking forward to competing in such an intense atmosphere.”
Meanwhile, third-placed Al Sadd are also looking for full three points at their home game against Al Kharaitiyat.
However, the team’s assistant coach Hisham Zahid said it would not be an easy sailing for his side.
“This is an important match for us. It will be a tough match too because Kharaitiyat are a good team regardless of the results they have achieved so far. We will not be misled by Kharaitiyat’s lack of results because we know the threat that they pose. We will play to our strengths and look to achieve a positive result,” he said.
“At Sadd we are always looking to play for titles and in order to achieve that we need to win all the matches we can. So we will play with full concentration and give it our all to achieve the desired result and win the three points.”
“Khalfan Ibrahim is a star footballer in Qatar. He is one of the sons of Al Sadd but whether he stays or goes is a decision that rests with the team management. But I sincerely wish that Khalfan continues to stay with the team because he is one of the most talented players we have.”
THE PENINSULA
