The Peninsula
Doha: Al Arabi will not take things lightly when they take on stuggling Qatar Sports Club in the Round 16 match of the Qatar Stars league (QSL) here today.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference coach Gianfranco Zola said: “We will not underestimate Qatar Sports Club, their position does not represent their quality.”
The Kings are currently in the relegation zone. “Our training camp went well in Abu Dhabi. I should expect that we will play with a different style moving forward into the second part of the season,” the Italian said.
Zola also cleared up the recent transfers at Al Arabi.
“Firstly I would like to welcome Anwar Diba to the squad. In terms of changing Junior Dutra, this will only happen if I can find an ideal replacement. Javad Nekounam has replaced Rod Fani in the squad. We have time to get our players by January 30.
On the other hand, Qatar SC coach Sebastião Lazaroni said his squad is now ready for a relegation dog-fight.
“We have brought in some new players to the squad in Emiliano Vecchio and Rafik Halliche. They are hungry to win, and this is what our side needs based on our position.”
In the other match, Al Kharitiyat take on Lekhwiya.
Al Kharitiyat coach Amar Osim insisted that his side will not like to repeat the 7-0 humbling they received at the hands of Lekhwiya in the first half of the season.
“We will have to make up for that previous defeat, Lekhwiya are one of the best sides in the league and will be a major challenge for Al Kharitiyat,” Osim said.
Osim also confirmed that Kharitiyat will be without influential striker Hassan Abdel-Fattah for the match against the current QSL champions. “He will not play this week, but we will see if he can be available for next week.”
Osim also insisted that his side was readied for the second half of the season. “Our break went well, many of our squad improved their fitness, I think this will help us in the second part of the season. “
“I would also like to congratulate Qatar on their progress in the AFC U23 championships, they now have the change to go the Olympics and I wish them the best against Iraq,” said the Bosnian tactician.
Lekhwiya coach Djamel Belmadi insisted that his sides 4-1 victory over Al Sadd in the Sheikh Jassim Cup match counted for nothing as the second half of the season was about to start.
“We now have to focus on the league campaign and finish as high as possible. The gap to the league leaders is big, but Lekhwiya is used to fighting for titles we shall battle to the very end,” explained the former Qatar national team boss.
Belmadi also revealed that his side will be without two crucial players for the match against Al Kharitiyat.
The Peninsula
Doha: Al Arabi will not take things lightly when they take on stuggling Qatar Sports Club in the Round 16 match of the Qatar Stars league (QSL) here today.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference coach Gianfranco Zola said: “We will not underestimate Qatar Sports Club, their position does not represent their quality.”
The Kings are currently in the relegation zone. “Our training camp went well in Abu Dhabi. I should expect that we will play with a different style moving forward into the second part of the season,” the Italian said.
Zola also cleared up the recent transfers at Al Arabi.
“Firstly I would like to welcome Anwar Diba to the squad. In terms of changing Junior Dutra, this will only happen if I can find an ideal replacement. Javad Nekounam has replaced Rod Fani in the squad. We have time to get our players by January 30.
On the other hand, Qatar SC coach Sebastião Lazaroni said his squad is now ready for a relegation dog-fight.
“We have brought in some new players to the squad in Emiliano Vecchio and Rafik Halliche. They are hungry to win, and this is what our side needs based on our position.”
In the other match, Al Kharitiyat take on Lekhwiya.
Al Kharitiyat coach Amar Osim insisted that his side will not like to repeat the 7-0 humbling they received at the hands of Lekhwiya in the first half of the season.
“We will have to make up for that previous defeat, Lekhwiya are one of the best sides in the league and will be a major challenge for Al Kharitiyat,” Osim said.
Osim also confirmed that Kharitiyat will be without influential striker Hassan Abdel-Fattah for the match against the current QSL champions. “He will not play this week, but we will see if he can be available for next week.”
Osim also insisted that his side was readied for the second half of the season. “Our break went well, many of our squad improved their fitness, I think this will help us in the second part of the season. “
“I would also like to congratulate Qatar on their progress in the AFC U23 championships, they now have the change to go the Olympics and I wish them the best against Iraq,” said the Bosnian tactician.
Lekhwiya coach Djamel Belmadi insisted that his sides 4-1 victory over Al Sadd in the Sheikh Jassim Cup match counted for nothing as the second half of the season was about to start.
“We now have to focus on the league campaign and finish as high as possible. The gap to the league leaders is big, but Lekhwiya is used to fighting for titles we shall battle to the very end,” explained the former Qatar national team boss.
Belmadi also revealed that his side will be without two crucial players for the match against Al Kharitiyat.
