Struggling Al Shahaniya will look to garner for full points when they take on Al Sailiyah in the opening match of Round 18 of Qatar Stars League (QSL) in Doha today.
The Oryxes are currently twelfth place in the QSL standings, and know that a win could see them jump out of the relegation zone if results go their way.
Speaking on the eve of the match, Al Shahaniya's Croatian coach Igor Štimac said he was unhappy with last round's 3-0 loss to Al Gharafa.
“I’m not happy with the performance against Al Gharafa, we where expecting much from the team. Now that is in the past, we have to concentrate on the next game and what is coming up,” Stimac said while reflecting reflected on his sides defeat to.
“Sailiya have a few new players, it will be a difficult match they will have confidence from the last game that they won against Umm Salal. We are confident, we know a win can get us out of the danger zone” added the Croatian.
Štimac also revealed that his Al Shahaniya side will be without a key player for their match against Al Sailiya.
“I am sad that professional signing Rahim Zahivi will be unable to help us, he is out for ten days to two weeks with fatigue related injury.”
The Croatian coach stressed that his side has nothing to loose from the position that they are in.
“Before the start of the season everyone said that Al Shahaniya were set to go down, the position we are now in gives us a chance of survival. Now we need to fight together, and we are not going down without a fight.”
Al Sailiya come into the match against Al Shahaniya on a high following a narrow 1-0 win over Umm Salal.
Al Sailiyah also are keen to move away from the relegation zone.
“It’s a good game for us, it’s the game that really matters to me. Al Shahaniya are a good side but we have to be prepared for them and we have to win to pull further away from the relegation zone,” Peregrines coach Sami Trabelsi said at yesterday's press conference.
“Last season we had difficulties against teams who are fighting for survival, whilst playing well against the top sides in the league. We need to be at full concentration for Al Shahaniya, or they will punish us” added the Tunisian tactician. The Peregrines boss was also quick to reflect on his sides win last time out.
“Against Umm Salal we played well, especially with the new players and we hope to continue in the same way against Al Shahania. Our target now this season is to pick up the most possible points that we can.”
Trabelsi said that his club is keen top rectuit moare players.
"We hope to get some local players in to reinforce the team. We have to be realistic on who we can bring in, but I am happy with what we got. We took a risk in playing the professional players in the last match and it came off, although we know that it won’t just be the professionals that help us it’s a team effort at Al Sailiya.”
Al Shahaniya have 14 points from 17 matches.
Two otehr teams hovering in the relegation zone are Al Wakrah and Muaither.
