Al Ahli face Al Shahania as QSL teams set for final push

Friday evening will kick-off three of the six exciting games of the Qatar Stars League (QSL), and the week will conclude with the traditional Qatar Clasico between Al Sadd and Al Rayyan on Saturday.

First up will be Al Shahania against Al Ahli at the Suhaim Bin Hamad while Umm Salal will face Al Wakrah at the Grand Hamad Stadium in simultaneous kick-offs at 5pm on Friday.

Al Ahli are currently in fourth place in the rankings and would be keen to consolidate their position further while Al Shahania, in eighth place with 23 points will look to garner more points.

Speaking ahead of his team’s clash, Al Ahli coach Igor Biscan, said, “We are determined to continue on the winning path in the remaining (three) rounds of the league. I am aware that the match would not be easy against Al Shahania. However, I am always focused on my team as a group and am preparing them for the match to achieve their goals on the field.

“The team performed exceptionally well against Al Rayyan and secured an important victory that will have a significant impact on the players’ performances in the match against Al Shahania and the two matches that will follow,” said Biscan.

Al Shahania coach Jose Murcia hoped for his team to achieve a positive result against Ahli. “The match represents an opportunity for us to demonstrate our strength and the true level of the team. We are prepared from all aspects and everyone is highly focused.

“In the previous match against Al Shamal, there were minor details that we paid a heavy price for, and that cost us the match. We have worked on correcting our mistakes and our goal in the upcoming match is to avoid mistakes, exploit our strengths and play with focus in order to achieve victory,” he added.
Al Shahania player Andreas van Beek, said, “We have turned the chapter on the previous match against Al Shamal. We have learnt our lessons and have now prepared well for the match against Al Ahli.”

Meanwhile Umm Salal and Al Wakrah will be involved in a clash seeking to steer away from the relegation zone. Both teams go into the match looking for course correction and to overcome losses suffered in the previous round. Umm Salal had lost to Al Khor 0-3, while Al Wakrah went down by the same margin to Al Sadd.

Umm Salal are in eleventh place in the rankings with 15 points and in a difficult position facing relegation play-off. They are five points behind the bottom-placed Al Khor. Al Wakrah, meanwhile, are in tenth place with 21 points and are seeking a win to get out of the danger zone.

Umm Salal coach Patrice Beaumelle, said, “The match will be difficult, intense and even fateful as we are in dire need of three points to avoid a difficult outcome. Our rivals will also enter the match with a desire to win which will make the encounter even more difficult for both teams. Our players are performing, working hard and exerting great effort, but that luck has not been on their side in many previous matches, which has affected the results.

“Winning the match against Al Wakrah is essential. Everyone, including the management, players and technical and administrative staff, is well aware of the seriousness of the current situation.

“I fear that the decline in results will lead to frustration among the players, which could increase anxiety within the team. Therefore, we must be confident and enter the match strongly to achieve victory,” stressed Beaumelle.

Umm Salal player Khalifa Saad said, “The match against Al Wakrah will be extremely important. The pressure is great after the recent loss to Al Khor, which makes correcting mistakes imperative to achieve a positive result.”

Al Arabi vs Al Gharafa
Later on Friday, Al Arabi and Al Gharafa will meet at the Al Thumama Stadium at 7pm. Al Arabi are in seventh place in the standings with 23 points while Al Gharafa are in third place with 37 points. In the first meeting between these two sides, Al Gharafa had emerged winners 3-1.

Al Gharafa coach Pedro Martins, said, “We are in a difficult situation following the loss to Al Duhail, a direct and strong competitor, especially given the manner in which the team lost the match. It was not easy, especially after the two losses to Al Sadd and Al Duhail, and I am looking forward to fighting until the end in this competition.”

Al Arabi coach Pablo Amo said the match is crucial. “Al Gharafa are a strong team but we are focusing on our capabilities. We regret the presence of injured players but the team is showing great cohesion as a group, which is the most important thing. We will go in with a clear attacking identity on the field, but more importantly, we are a team where everyone works together and is united.”

Leaders Al Duhail up against Al Shamal
League leaders Al Duhail will be aiming for another victory when they face Al Shamal at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium tomorrow at 5pm. The match promises to be thrilling and fiercely contested, considering the impressive performances exhibited by both teams throughout the season and in their recent encounters.

Al Duhail achieved a significant 2-0 win over Al Gharafa in the last round which allowed them to maintain their position at the top of standings, holding a narrow one-point lead over defending champions Al Sadd.

Currently, Al Duhail are at the top with 44 points, while Al Shamal occupy the sixth position with 26 points, just one point shy of Al Rayyan in fifth place.

Al Shamal coach David Prats, while speaking to the media ahead of their against Al Duhail, said, “We are in for a tough match against one of the league’s strongest teams. Al Duhail have top-level players led by a distinguished coach, so our task against them will not be easy. However, at the same time, we also have very distinguished players with great ambitions.

“We are looking forward to achieving a positive result. We will play with all our strength and fight to achieve the best possible result, not only in the Al Duhail match, but in all the three remaining in the league this season.”

In their last match, Al Shamal secured a convincing 3-0 victory against Al Shahania, enhancing their prospects of breaking into the top four.

Al Sadd and Al Rayyan in Qatar Clasico
Al Rayyan and Al Sadd will face off in the Qatar Clasico at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium at 7.15pm tomorrow. Al Rayyan aim to regain their winning form, while Al Sadd seek to secure another victory.

Defending champions Al Sadd are second in the table with 43 points. Both teams have been diligently preparing for this encounter through daily training sessions, with each coach focused on uniquely strategising to ensure their team’s success. Al Rayyan are eager to bounce back after their recent 0-1 defeat to Al Ahli.

Qatar SC and Al Khor will meet at the Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium on Saturday at 5pm. Both teams approach the match with a win being the only option.