Doha: Al Rayyan will be looking for a sixth straight victory when take on Al Arabi in Round 6 of the Qatar Stars League (QSL) here today.
The Lions remain unbeaten this season and coach Jorge Fossati team will able to cement a place at the top with if they win against Al Arabi.
Al Rayyan has taken the QSL by storm since gaining promotion from the Qatar Gas League.
Fossati’s boys defeated Al Khor 4-2 in their last match but the clash against Al Arabi will not an easy ride in the park.
And coach Fossati is well aware of it and the importance of the derby tie.
“Of course, I don’t need to speak about the game. A derby is a special moment for both teams. Both teams are strong. My point of view is that Arabi has a very good team. They have good organisation. I trust that Rayyan have the same. For sure we will have a very tough game. I hope that it will be a big party for Qatari football and of course we hope to take the victory,” said Fossati while talking to reporters.
The Uruguayan said he is treating all the matches equally.
“My point of view is to play all the games as the most important game of the season. In the last five games I have said the same thing. And now I say the same thing again. In football, week after week, game after game, you are being tested, especially the coach. I trust my players 100 per cent.”
He said the motivation level fo players ahead of a derby is always high.
“When you are in a big club as Rayyan you are always under pressure. The pressure of the result is always there. But we try to work outside the pressure of the atmosphere. We try to work closely with the players, thinking about the next opponent and trying to read their strategies. This week could be different for the fans but for us, in our preparation, nothing changes. Me and Zola (Al Arabi coach) think the same. We can be relaxed about the motivation of the players. Sometimes you are worried that players don’t have enough motivation. But when you have a derby, the players have the motivation everywhere around them - in the streets, in their family, in the newspapers.”
Meanwhile, Al Arabi which pulled off one of the stunning result of round five by defeating Lekhwiya 3-2, thanks to a hat-trick from Brazilian striker Junior Dutra, will seek to start from very they left off.
Arabi have been on a fine run of form this season winning four times, and only losing narrowly to Al Gharafa in round four.
Gianfranco Zola has revitalized the fortunes of the Dream Team, who will be looking to grab a Qatar Cup place.
“I agree with Coach Fossati about the importance of this game. This is a game being played between two of the clubs that have the biggest support in Qatar. Great for Qatari football that these two teams are playing against each other. Total credit to Rayyan for having done so well. Glad to say that Arabi are following thanks to the attitude of our players. We are looking to bring our level that’s on par with the good teams. And that is good for all the teams,” Zola said.
“A league is considered good when there’s a lot of competition. Where they are 5-6 teams fighting for the title, then it’s a healthy competition. I hope it will be a great day for Qatari football and hopefully Arabi will win,” the Italian added.
Zola said they will aim for full points which will take them on par with Al Rayyan.
“We have true respect for the teams. Having said that, we are going try to win and we are going to try to win very hard. I have a lot of respect for Rayyan. Not because they won all the games but because of the way in which won the games.”
The Italian for whom it is the first season in Qatar said he is looking forward to the derby.
“I haven’t still experienced the derby atmosphere on the pitch. But I understand it is the biggest game. I have played other derbies in Italy. There’s a lot of talk throughout the week and the week before. So I know what these games are like. They do a lot for the sport. If we can give a good game, the fans will be happy.”
The Peninsula
