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Al Sadd will miss the services of captain Xavi Hernandez for one month as he sustained an injury during their QSL Cup third round match against Al Sailiya, that ended in a 3-3 draw last Friday. According to Al Sadd club’s website, Xavi underwent a medical examination that confirmed a torn muscle on his right foot. The Spanish star is to undergo a rehabilitation programme for four weeks. Meanwhile, Al Sadd’s South Korean midfielder Jung Woo-Young continued his recovery process from an ankle injury he suffered during their QNB Stars League Week 10 match against Al Ahli. He participated in warm-up exercises. Currently Al Sadd has eight players in the Qatar squad for the friendlies. They are Saad al-Dossari, Boalem Khoukhi, Abdulkarim Hassan, Tariq Salman, Salem al-Hajri, Akram Afif, Hassan al-Haydous and Pedro Miguel. Five other players (Meshaal Barsham, Hatem Kamal, Bahaa al-Lithy, Hassan Ahmed, Yousuf Abdelrazaq) are with the Qatar U-23 team while Baghdad Bounedjah has joined the Algerian national team camp for 2019 AFCON qualifier against Togo. Sadd are preparing for their away match against Al Arabi, dubbed the Qatar Derby, in Week 13 of the QNB Stars League on 24th November. Al Sadd resumed their training without players who are on international duty. Al Sadd are second in the QNB Stars League standings with 23 points. Al Sadd head coach Jesualdo Ferreira used yesterday’s session to work on the physical fitness of the available players, in order to ensure they are in top condition before the resumption of the league. Meanwhile, Al-Sadd goalkeeper Saoud al-Hajri made his return to training after recovering from a partial cruciate ligament tear that he suffered while playing the QatarGas League.  Al-Hajri will continue to train under the goalkeeping coach Eduardo Perez before joining the first team for group training. Al Rayyan to miss Soria,  regain Jonathan’s services Al Rayyan will miss striker Sebastian Soria for two to three weeks due to an injury. At the same time, Al Rayyan got back the services of striker Jonathan Menendez after a long injury layoff. The club’s medical team gave the Argentinian the green light to take part in training. Meanwhile, Al Rayyan announced that Abdulrahman al-Korbi would undergo a medical examination at Aspetar to determine the size of the tear he suffered during their 3-1 win over Al Shahania in Round 3 of the QSL Cup last Friday. He is likely to be out of action at least for two weeks. Rayyan will play Umm Salal in Week 13 of the QNB Stars League on 23rd November. Al Duhail defender Lucas recovering from injury Al Duhail defender Lucas Mendez is recovering from a muscle injury that kept him out of action. The Brazilian, who is undergoing a treatment programme under the supervision of the team’s fitness coach, is one of the most prominent defenders in the QNB Stars League. Duhail are gearing up for their QNB Stars League Week 13 match against Al Khor, scheduled for 24th November. Following their 1-1 draw with Umm Salal in Round 3 of the QSL Cup last Saturday, Al Duhail players will resume training on Tuesday. Players who are on international duty will join the squad later. Al Duhail are leading the QNB Stars League standings with 31 points.

About 2,000 migrants set off on foot from El Salvador’s capital on Wednesday, the latest of several groups of Central Americans heading to the United States, even as US President Donald Trump increased pressure to halt their flow. Men and women from the two groups of Salvadorans that departed San Salvador pushed baby strollers or bore children on their shoulders. On Sunday, a separate group of about 300 people set off from the city. Some, such as 42-year-old Luis Geovanni Vindel, a salesman from the central city of Zacatecoluca, moved on quickly, hitching rides alone toward the Guatemalan border. “We’re already one step away from Guatemala, and soon into Mexico,” said Vindel, limping forward with a cane on a prosthetic leg in the municipality of San Francisco Menendez. A larger US-bound caravan, which left northern Honduras in mid-October is moving north at about 48km a day through southern Mexico. It has become a major campaign issue ahead of US congressional elections on November 6. Mexico’s Interior Minister Alfonso Navarrete on Wednesday put the size of the first caravan at 2,800 to 3,000, below the government’s previous estimate of about 3,500. Participants in the caravan have put the number significantly higher. Dozens of the men, women and children in that caravan told Reuters they were abandoning their homelands to seek asylum from a mixture of poverty, violence and corruption. “We’re now in an unprecedented situation in the country,” Navarrete told reporters in Mexico City. “This is not merely a caravan...it’s a migratory exodus.” The bulk of illegal immigrants intercepted at the US border are from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Trump said he could send up to 15,000 troops to the US-Mexico border, which is already heavily policed by border guards. Police estimated the two groups leaving San Salvador numbered around 1,000 each. One left around dawn, followed by the second later in the morning. Some waved Salvadoran flags as motorists honked in support and shouted “God bless you.”

US President Donald Trump said Friday he found Saudi Arabia's explanation about the death of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi credible and termed it an "important first step." Trump added if the US takes action, he does not want it to impact arms sales to the kingdom, which said Khashoggi was killed in a fight at its Istanbul consulate. Turkish officials pointed to a state-sanctioned hit. "I do, I do," Trump said when asked if he found the Saudis' explanation credible, adding: "It's early, we haven't finished our review or investigation, but... I think it's a very important first step." "I would prefer, if there is going to be some form of sanction or what we may determine to do, if anything... that we don't use as retribution canceling $110 billion worth of work, which means 600,000 jobs," he said during a visit to Arizona, referring to a major arms deal with the kingdom. Trump has sent mixed messages about Khashoggi for days, vowing a severe response but also saying that the United States wants to preserve its close relationship with the conservative kingdom. Members of the US Congress were far harsher in the wake of the kingdom's admission that Khashoggi was dead. Republican Senator Bob Corker, Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, said he doubted the credibility of the Saudi authorities, who insisted for weeks that he left the consulate. "The story the Saudis have told about Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance continues to change with each passing day, so we should not assume their latest story holds water," he tweeted. The story the Saudis have told about Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance continues to change with each passing day, so we should not assume their latest story holds water. — Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) October 20, 2018 Senator Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally who has nonetheless been outspoken about Khashoggi, shared Corker's suspicion. "To say that I am skeptical of the new Saudi narrative about Mr Khashoggi is an understatement," the Republican senator tweeted.  To say that I am skeptical of the new Saudi narrative about Mr. Khashoggi is an understatement. https://t.co/am4fraUL6H — Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 19, 2018 Bob Menendez, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the United States should pursue sanctions against Saudis involved in Khashoggi's death under a US law named after Sergei Magnitsky, the anti-corruption Russian accountant who died in custody.  "The Global Magnitsky Act doesn't have exceptions for accidents. Even if Khashoggi died because of an altercation, that's no excuse for his murder," Menendez tweeted.  "This is far from the end and we need to keep up the international pressure."  Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor who lived in suburban Washington, was a former insider who turned into a critic of the kingdom's direction under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He visited the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to sort out marriage paperwork, but his fiancee saw nothing more of him after he entered. Representative Mike Coffman, one of a number of lawmakers from Trump's Republican Party facing a tough race in November 6 elections, said the United States "must stand up for our values and demand our 'allies' respect human rights." The Colorado lawmaker, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, urged Trump to immediately recall the acting US ambassador from Saudi Arabia. Trump has yet to nominate a permanent envoy to the kingdom. United Nations chief Antonio Guterres meanwhile demanded that those responsible for Khashoggi's death be held to account. "The Secretary-General is deeply troubled by the confirmation of the death of Jamal Khashoggi. He extends his condolences to Mr Khashoggi's family and friends," Guterres's office said in a statement.  "The Secretary-General stresses the need for a prompt, thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances of Mr Khashoggi's death and full accountability for those responsible."

The disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist critical of the Saudi government, has rightly led to bipartisan outrage in Washington. Republican Senartor Lindsey Graham, for one, has vowed there will be “hell to pay” if, as has been reported by numerous news outlets citing multiple sources, the US green-card holder was lured into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 and brutally murdered by Saudi agents. One has to agree with Graham and applaud the bipartisan effort of nearly two dozen US senators – led by Republican Bob Corker of Tennessee, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Democrat Bob Menendez of New Jersey – calling for an immediate investigation into what are credible reports that the Saudi government is behind the journalist’s disappearance. As Senator Corker told the press last week after intelligence briefings on Khashoggi, “everything points at this juncture to Saudi Arabia” and “unfortunately it would appear that he’s been murdered.” President Trump told 60 Minutes on Sunday that, if reports of Khashoggi’s murder at the hands of Saudi authorities are true, there would be “something really terrible and disgusting about that.” He went on to say that, “We’re going to get to the bottom of it and there will be severe punishment.” But on Monday, after dispatching Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Saudi Arabia and “other places if necessary,” Trump said he had spoken to Saudi King Salman and that he “firmly denied any knowledge” of Khashoggi’s disappearance. Remarkably, the president then seemed to offer an alternative scenario. “It sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers. Who knows? We’re going to try getting to the bottom of it very soon, but his was a flat denial.” What’s remarkable about this statement is that Trump seems to be taking the word of  Saudi Arabia – granted, a longstanding US ally – over his own intelligence community. According to a recent report by The Wall Street Journal, Turkish authorities have shared with US intelligence officials an audio recording from inside the Saudi consulate that “makes it clear” the Saudis killed Khashoggi. Even more remarkable, Trump seemed to be parroting what may soon be the official Saudi line. CNN has reported that two sources have confirmed that Khashoggi’s death “was the result of an interrogation (at the Saudi consulate) that went wrong, one that was intended to lead to his abduction from Turkey.” Those of us not privy to intelligence briefings may never know definitively what happened to Jamal Khashoggi. President Trump has promised “severe punishment” if Saudi involvement is proven. Yet he has also repeatedly said that any potential US sanctions should not include killing an arms deal with the Saudis. The truth about a human life is more important than any arms deal. As Florida Senator Marco Rubio said on Tuesday: “There isn’t enough money in the world to purchase back our credibility on human rights and the way nations should conduct themselves.” - Tribune News Service

Nikki Haley announced yesterday that she is resigning as the US ambassador to the United Nations, but the rising Republican star immediately denied that she is preparing to challenge President Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Sitting beside Trump in the Oval Office, Haley said her 18-month stint at the United Nations had been “an honour of a lifetime” and said she would stay on until the end of the year. A former governor of South Carolina who is the daughter of Indian immigrants, Haley is the highest-profile woman in Trump’s Cabinet and is often seen as a possible presidential candidate. However, she said in her resignation letter to Trump that she would “surely not be a candidate for any office in 2020” and would support his re-election bid. She told reporters in the Oval Office: “No, I am not running for 2020.” Haley said she did not have any future plans set and did not give a reason for quitting, but Trump said she had told him some six months ago that she was thinking of leaving by the end the year “to take a little time off”. Haley’s fast rise from a Southern state’s legislature to the world stage suggests the 46-year-old may have greater political ambition. Describing her UN tenure as “fantastic” and “incredible”, Trump was effusive in his praise for Haley. He accepted her resignation and said he would name her successor within two or three weeks. Haley has been the face of Trump’s “America First” policy at the United Nations, steering the US withdrawal from several UN programmes and ardently defending his hard-line policies against Iran and North Korea over their nuclear programmes. However, she has also sometimes distanced herself from Trump. “She has done an incredible job. She is a fantastic person, very importantly, but she also is somebody that gets it,” Trump said yesterday. “She’s done a fantastic job and we’ve done a fantastic job together.” Haley’s name has come up as possible Republican running mate in the last two presidential elections and she could also become a US senator if fellow South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham takes up a job in the Trump administration as if often speculated. Trump suggested the two of them jointly announce Haley’s departure in the Oval Office, an administration official said, noting that Haley is the only outgoing member of Trump’s administration to be feted in this way. Returning the favour, Haley praised Trump and his family. She described Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and aide, as “such a hidden genius that no-one understands” for his work on renegotiating the NAFTA trade deal and preparing a long-awaited Middle East peace plan that has not yet been released. Haley was seen by her counterparts at the United Nations as a voice of clarity in a US administration that often gave off mixed signals on foreign policy, diplomats say. However, she has been overshadowed in recent months by the appointments of Trump loyalist Mike Pompeo as secretary of state and hawk John Bolton as White House national security adviser. Pompeo has led policy on talks with North Korea, while Bolton has taken the lead on trying to implement Trump’s hard line against Iran. Robert Menendez, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called Haley’s resignation “yet another sign of the Trump Administration’s chaotic foreign policy”. “I am deeply concerned about the leadership vacuum she leaves and the national security impact of her departure at this time of continued disarray,” Menendez said in a statement. Haley is the latest in a long line of high-profile departures from the administration, such as former secretary of state Rex Tillerson, who was fired in March, and Steve Bannon, Trump’s chief strategist, who left in August 2017. A convert to Christianity in her 20s after being raised a Sikh, Haley is popular with religious conservatives in the South. Her status as a potential candidate for national high office was boosted in 2015 when she ordered the Confederate battle flag to be pulled down at South Carolina’s state capitol grounds after a white supremacist gunman shot dead nine black worshipers at a church. Haley has also applauded women who come forward to denounce sexual abuse or misconduct by men and said they should be heard. “Women who accuse anyone should be heard,” Haley said last December after accusations against three members of Congress. “They should be heard, and they should be dealt with.” Referring to women whose accusations brought down powerful men, like movie producer Harvey Weinstein, Haley said: “I’m proud of their strength. I’m proud of their courage.” Haley has long taken a tougher public stance on Russia than Trump, who has sought better relations with President Vladimir Putin. Haley raised eyebrows within the administration when she announced in April that Washington was going to impose sanctions on Moscow over its support of Syria’s government. Trump then decided not to go ahead with the move.

World number one Rafael Nadal said yesterday he would skip the Asian leg of the ATP tour to recover from the knee injury he picked up at the US Open, a decision that will boost Novak Djokovic’s chances of ending the year top of the rankings. Nadal was forced to retire during his semi-final against Argentine Juan Martin del Potro at Flushing Meadows with what he later said was tendinitis in his right knee, and will now also miss next month’s tournaments in Beijing and Shanghai. Djokovic, seeded sixth at the US Open, beat Del Potro in the final to claim his second Grand Slam title this year and rise to third in the rankings, behind Nadal and Roger Federer. “I had to retire from the semi-finals of the US Open and this past Monday I was with doctors in Barcelona to review the situation with my knee,” Nadal wrote on Twitter. “While my knee problems are nothing new, I have decided together with my medical and technical team not to participate in the Asian tour to recover.” The Spaniard tops the world rankings with 8,760 points, 1,860 ahead of Federer and 2,315 more than in-form Djokovic. With Federer cutting the number of tournaments he plays — the Swiss only took part in events in Shanghai, Basel and the ATP finals after last year’s US Open — Djokovic is now favourite to unseat Nadal as world number one.  nThree-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka advanced to the quarter-finals of the St Petersburg Open with a win over Russian fourth seed Karen Khachanov in two tie-break sets. The 33-year-old Swiss star Wawrinka, a wildcard entry, knocked off world number 24 Khachanov 7-6 (12/10), 7-6 (7/1) and awaits the winner between defending champion Damir Dzumhur and Guido Pella. “I’m really happy as the level of my play was really good today,” Wawrinka said. “We both played really well, really aggressive. I was expecting a tough match and it was really tough. My level was great and I’m really happy with everything that took place on the court today.” Wawrinka, the former world number three, who is now down at 88 after a battle with injury, started confidently breaking his rival’s serve early. But the Swiss, who has been struggling to find his best form since returning to the ATP Tour after two operations on his left knee a year ago, suddenly lost his nerve to allow the local favourite to break twice in succession. Khachanov, 22, was serving for the set but Wawrinka broke again to level and force a tie-break, closing it out at the sixth attempt having also saved two set points. Wawrinka then raced through another tie-break to seal victory over Khachanov in the first meeting between the pair. Fifth-seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut and Canada’s Denis Shapovalov, the seventh seed, reached round two with respective wins over qualifiers Luca Vanni, 7-5, 6-2, and Adrian Menendez-Maceiras, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2. nJapan’s Kei Nishikori returned to action for the first time since losing in the US Open semi-finals with a 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 win over defending champion Peter Gojowczyk in the Metz second yesterday. World number 12 Nishikori defeated the 45th-ranked Gojowczyk in 94 minutes and will face either Ugo Humbert of France or Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili for a semi-final place.  Nishikori made the semi-finals at the US Open earlier this month but was easily defeated in straight sets by eventual champion Novak Djokovic. nJapan’s Naomi Osaka cruised to victory in her first match since lifting the US Open title, beating Dominika Cibulkova 6-2 6-1 in the last-16 at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo yesterday. Osaka, who stunned Serena Williams to become Japan’s first grand slam singles champion earlier this month, produced another display of fearless power-hitting to put away Slovak Cibulkova in just under an hour.

A 37th minute strike from Mohamed Juma gave Al Rayyan a narrow 1-0 victory over Al Arabi in their much-anticipated QNB Stars League clash yesterday. The three points gave the Lions temporary top spot in the standings with 11, while Al Arabi have nine. The matches involving leaders Al Sadd and Al Duhail have been postponed because they would be playing their crucial AFC Champions League matches early next week. Al Sadd and Al Duhail were to play Al Khor and Al Sailiya respectively tomorrow. Al Arabi were coming off two consecutive wins, but could not extend their winning run on home turf. However, Luka Bonacic’s men can take solace from the fact that they gave a tough fight to Al Rayyan. Al Rayyan dominated the first half with 66 per cent possession during which they were rewarded with the winning goal. The percentage fell to 56 on completion of the game as Al Arabi showed more alacrity in the second session. The goal came as a result of a long lob into the Al Arabi box. After the ball hit the crossbar over the head of goalkeeper Masoud Zarayi following Al Arabi’s Mudir Abdurabu’s faulty clearance, Juma was on hand to head home the rebound. Juma had a good game even as Rodrigo Tabata and Sebastian Soria were rather off-colour. Al Arabi goalkeeper Zarayi too was good under the bar, but for the goal that turned out to be crucial. Al Arabi’s attacks lacked teeth overall. The likes of Franco Hurtado, Diego Jardel and Mailson de Farias could not make inroads into the rival area. The Dream Team had a goal ruled offside in the 87th minute when Mohammed El Neel found the mark off a pass from Mailson. Al Rayyan’s Argentinian striker Jonathan Menendez, who joined them from Independiente, made his QNB Stars League debut when he replaced Khalfan Ibrahim after one hour. In the second match yesterday, Al Shahania beat Qatar Sports Club 3-2. Jean-Paul Kesse, Sultan al-Kuwari and Mesaad al-Hamad scored for Al Shahania, while Samuel Eto’o and Yousef Mohamed were on target for Qatar Sports Club.

Al Arabi coach Luka Bonacic hopes the international friendly break will not affect his team’s momentum when they take on fierce traditional rivals Al Rayyan in the QNB Stars League today. The ‘Dream Team’ bounced back from a 10-1 thrashing by Al Sadd in August to beat Al Khor 1-0 and Umm Salal 5-1 to restore their pride and sit pretty in the standings with nine points from four matches. They are only point one off the pace from leaders Al Sadd and Al Duhail who are tied on 10, the Qatar giants having dropped points against Al Gharafa and Al Rayyan, respectively. “We have been in great form and the break was not good for us as we were maintaining a good momentum,” Bonacic told reporters at his pre-match press conference. “But we have to honour FIFA commitments,” he added ruefully. The 63-year-old Croat, however, is confident of his team’s chances against ‘Big four’ club Al Rayyan.  “After the big defeat to Al Sadd in the second round we showed remarkable improvement and that has reflected on our performances. I am expecting a good game against Al Rayyan. I wish my boys will go out and show what they are capable of,” he said. He added that facing Al Rayyan brings out the best from his players. “This game is special from the fans’ point of view also. Our fans are something special. I have been experiencing that ever since I took over Al Arabi. It’s good that we play for them. But playing against Al Rayyan is the greatest motivation for our players,” said Bonacic. Al Rayyan’s new coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena also praised Al Arabi for showing tremendous resolve after suffering the morale-shattering 10-1 defeat to Al Sadd. “We are back to league action after an international break and we are into a big match against Al Arabi. They had suffered a setback against Al Sadd, but they came back strongly,” said Arruabarrena. “In the process, Al Arabi also showed they can score many goals. They are playing the way we also want to play at the moment. We can expect a tough fight. They already have nine points and that is how you start a league competition,” he added. The Argentinian said his side have plenty to play for as they are only two points adrift of the leaders. “The difference between top team Al Sadd and us is only two points. You must show patience especially at the start of a league competition and wait for good results to come. “Al Arabi have the potential to make it a great match and I am sure fans can see a great game.  “All our players are ready and I will decide on the playing eleven based on the fitness and form of the players on the match day. The same is applicable in the case of new recruit Jonathan Menendez also.” In another match today Al Shahania will take on Qatar SC, with both teams looking to improve their positions. Al Shahania are eighth in the standings with just four points from as many matches, while QSC are placed ninth, having lost three of their four matches so far. “It is going to be a difficult game. In fact, it will be difficult for both teams. We are hoping to collect full points against Qatar SC,” Shahania coach Jose Murcia said. “Qatar SC are a strong side. They can be really tricky and have some very good players in their ranks such as Samuel Eto’o and Osama Omari. Still, we will play for three points. “During the break, we had been working hard. We have had problems with injuries to some of our players. The FIFA break is good for some teams, while it is not so good for other teams. We need more games.”

Al Rayyan scored a 2-1 victory against a resurgent Al Kharaitiyat in the QNB Stars League at the Al Sadd Stadium yesterday. Goals for Al Rayyan came through Gonzalo Viera in the 40th minute and Rodrigo Tabata in the 49th. Al Kharaitiyat pulled it back in the 54th through Abdulhadi al-Amin. The win helped Rayyan surge to second in the table with eight points from four games, although both Duhail and Al Sadd can overtake them today. In another match, Al Arabi thrashed Umm Salal 5-1 at the Al Sadd stadium. Both the sides were coming off victories into yesterday’s match, and it was Arabi who kept their winning run going. Mohamed Salah (14th minute and 90th) scored a brace for Arabi, while Jasser Yehia Medany (20th) Franco Arizala (66th) and Mailson de Farias (90th) found the net once apiece. Yannick Sagbo scored a consolation goal for Umm Salal in the 58th minute. Going by form and strength, Al Rayyan should have had it easy against Al Kharaitiyat. But instead they were made to work hard for victory. Despite a brave show, Al Kharaitiyat are the only team yet to open their account having lost all their matches. They are taking the field for the first time under new coach Aziz al-Amri who replaced Nassif al-Bayawi. Former Al Sadd striker Jugurtha Hamroun made his debut for Al Kharaitiyat, while Argentinian striker Jonathan Menendez was left out by Rayyan even though as his paper works from old club Independiente have been completed.  Al Kharaitiyat started the match with the intention of upsetting the odds and were nearly rewarded for their early endeavour, but Al Rayyan goalkeeper Omar Barri pulled off a couple of fine saves from Valentin Lazar and debutant Jugurtha Hamroun. The Lions were not fearful of the early pressure and started to make headway into the game. Sebastian Soria saw his shot brilliantly saved by the opposition goalkeeper and the resulting corner saw Daniel Goumou miss a close-range header. Al Rayyan were able to break the deadlock just before half-time as Tabata’s lofted free-kick from the left was found by Viera who evaded his marker and headed home. Minutes into the second half and Al Rayyan doubled their lead when Tabata struck an imperious free-kick from the left that dipped, swerved and curled its way into the far corner from 25 yards out.  Al Rayyan were expected to run out comfortable winners from here. However, Al Kharaitiyat got themselves back into the game pretty quickly. After winning back possession in midfield, they were able to attack on the counter, with Lazar running into the box on the left and pulling the ball back to Abdulhadi who calmly passed the ball into the net. Late in the match, they were nearly rewarded again for their positive approach when Abdulla al-Anzi ran in on goal, but he chipped his effort over the goalkeeper. They were unable to get back into the game, but will be buoyed by a very positive performance.

Going by form and strength, Al Rayyan should have it easy against Al Kharaitiyat in their QNB Stars League today. Argentinian striker Jonathan Menendez may make his debut for Al Rayyan as his paper works from old club Independiente have been completed. The Lions will also be bolstered by the return of Abdulrahman al-Harazi, who missed Al Rayyan’s goalless draw with Al Duhail in Week 3. So are Ahmad Al Saadi and Salah Al Lahari, who did duty for Qatar at the Asian Games in Indonesia. Al Rayyan coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena said his team is working hard to improve their game. “We’ll go for a win aginst Al Kharaitiyat, just like we did against Al Duhail. We’ll put up a good fight. Our performance has been good in three matches. We’ve to improve with the ball. Overall, I’ve found that we’ve our chances to finish among the top in the league,” the Argentine said. Al Kharaitiyat are the only team yet to open their account having lost all their matches. They are taking the field for the first time under new coach Aziz al-Amri, who replaced Nassif al-Bayawi. Former Al Sadd striker Jugurtha Hamroun may make his debut for Al Kharaitiyat. Al-Amri said his focus is to end Al Kharaitiyat’s losing streak. “We’ve suffered three consecutive defeats and our problem is psychological. One victory can change the situation. As of now, I’m new and my focus is on arresting the losing streak,” said the Moroccan. “I’ve never coached outside Morocco. I’m learning more about the QNB Stars League. I had only watched some games of Al Rayyan last season when Abderrazaq Hamdallah (Moroccan striker) played for them. We’ll try to improve our performance and start getting good results,” he added. “Overall, the team looks stronger than last season. I still have time to work on the team this season. I have been focusing on the side’s tactical combinations since last Friday. We also worked on the defensive aspect.” In the second match of the day, Al Arabi will take on Umm Salal. Both the teams are coming off victories, which promises the match to be a thriller. Al Arabi will be without Mudir Abdurabu through injury and Ahmed al-Nehawi through suspension. Franco Hurtado spearheads Al Arabi’s challenge, supported by Diego Jardel, Mailson de Farias, Ahmed Ibrahim, Mohamed Salah El Neel, Fahd Khalfan and Ahmed Fathi. Umm Salal may get back the services of Nigerian striker Christian Osaguona who was nursing an injury. They also have the likes of Yannick Sagbo, Mahmoud Al Mawas and Ismail Mahmoud. fxitures Today: Al Rayyan vs Al Kharaitiyat (17:10) and Al Arabi vs Umm Salal (19:20) at the Al Sadd Stadium Tomorrow: Al Sadd vs Al Shahania (17:10) and Qatar SC vs Al Duhail (19:20) at the Khalifa International Stadium

Defending champions Al Duhail take on Al Rayyan in the QNB Stars League today at the Khalifa International Stadium with revenge on their mind. Duhail had lost to Al Rayyan on penalties in the season-opening Sheikh Jassim Cup, and they will look to set the record straight. Al Duhail have six points, but are currently second in the standings behind Al Sadd, who host Al Gharafa today, on goal difference. Rayyan stand in third spot with four points. Duhail would not want to drop points at any stage if they are to retain the title, while Al Rayyan have already lost two points following their 1-1 draw with Umm Salal in Week 2. The Red Knights will miss injured players Karim Boudiaf and Ismail Mohammed, who are recovering from surgery. However, they have the likes of Moroccan striker Yousef El Arabi, the league’s top scorer in the last two seasons, South Korean attacking midfielder Nam Tae-Hee, new recruit Edmilson, Lucas Mendes, wily forward Almoez Ali and young Bassam al-Rawi. Duhail’s new coach Nabil Maaloul said his team will be going all out for a victory. “This is an important encounter for us. We will try to continue in the same pattern and the team is ready for a big game before our AFC Champions League quarter-final first leg against Iran’s Persepolis next week,” he said. “And we certainly will not find any team better than Rayyan to give us a real test and we want to continue our good run. At the same time, we will put up our best despite the absence of some key players due to injuries,” the Tunisian added. “We have young players who are able to compensate for the seniors’ absence. Al Rayyan are always title contenders. Beating them will boost our morale, especially since they had beaten us in the Sheikh Jassim Cup,” said Maaloul. Al Rayyan are without their Moroccan spearhead Abderrazaq Hamdallah through injury. New recruit, Argentinian striker Jonathan Menendez, is a doubtful starter as he awaits his papers from former club Independiente. However, they have Rodrigo Tabata, Sebastian Soria, Khalfan Ibrahim, Abdulrahman al-Harazi, Daniel Goumou, Gonzalo Vieira and South Korean Koh Myong-jin. Al Rayyan coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena was hoping his team can beat Duhail again. “We are up against strong title contenders. Naturally, the game will be tough. We are correcting the mistakes we committed during our drawn encounter against Umm Salal. I wish we win this time too, having beaten Al Duhail in the Sheikh Jassim Cup,” said Arruabarrena. “I am happy with the team at my disposal, but I am not 100 per cent happy. Anyhow, at the end of the season, you will see Al Rayyan fight for many titles. We do not want to drop points unnecessarily,” the Argentine added. Meanwhile, Al Sadd and Al Gharafa will be extend to their winning run. Both teams are coming off victories. Al Sadd defeated Al Arabi 10-1, while Al Gharafa beat Al Sailiya 2-1 Al Sadd are the side with most Qatar League titles (13) and Al Gharafa, who managed to finish fourth last season, do not lag behind when it comes to history, tradition and performance. Al Sadd are in great form and top the QNB Stars League table ahead of Al Duhail on goal difference. They both have six points, but The Wolves enjoy a goal difference of +15 compared to The Red Knights’ +9. The Cheetahs thus made up for their loss to Qatar SC in the first round and are placed seventh in the table. Al Sadd famously boast players such as Xavi Hernandez, Gabi, Baghdad Bounedjah, Akram Afif, Hassan al-Haydous and Ali Asad. Bounedjah is the 2018-19 QNB Stars League’s top scorer with 10 goals. The Algerian ace netted a hat-trick in their 6-0 win over Al Kharaitiyat and followed it up with a seven-goal effort against Al Arabi. Al Gharafa have the likes of Wesley Sneijder, a FIFA World Cup runner-up with the Netherlands as well as UEFA Champions League winner with Inter Milan, Mehdi Taremi, Vladimir Weiss, Diego Amado and Ahmed Alaaeldin.

Rodrigo Tabata has been the livewire in the Al Rayyan ranks. Not only he orchestrates their attacks, but also finds himself among goals.  He was their second-best scorer, after Abderrazaq Hamdallah (18 goals), and fifth-best scorer in last season’s QNB Stars League with 15 goals. Such is his commitment that Danish great Michael Laudrup, who coached Al Rayyan before Argentinian Rodolfo Arruabarrena took over at the start of this season, said Tabata was always the first player to reach training sessions and the last to leave. That dedication reflects on the playmaker-cum-attacking midfielder’s performance. Ahead of Al Rayyan’s QNB Stars League encounter against Al Duhail on Sunday, Tabata says the clash between two top teams will a big treat for the fans. Excerpts from an interview.    How do you find the 2018-19 QNB Stars League season? The tournament has had a good start. I feel Al Duhail, Al Sadd and Al Rayyan will again be strong title contenders. The title race will boil down to these three teams. How has Al Rayyan’s season been so far? We had a great start winning the Sheikh Jassim Cup and the first match in the QNB Stars League against Al Ahli. However, we dropped points against Umm Salal, which we should avoid going forward. What difference do you see in this season’s Al Rayyan squad? We lost the services of two key players initially, with Hamdallah still nursing an injury and Mohsine Moutaoli moving to Al Ahli. However, we’ve many new players and they must step in and grab the opportunities. I hope new recruit, Argentinian striker Jonathan Menendez will be able to play sooner after completing his paper work. How has the quality of football been as the league enters its third week? It’s too early to speak about the quality of football and many teams have made changes. Yet, the tournament has become more competitive and we have already seen a few strong performances. It can only get better. How do you the game against Duhail?  It’s going to be a great game. We are working very hard for it. It’s also going to be a big treat for the fans. What makes the Al Rayyan vs Al Duhail match special? Obviously, the stakes are high when the league’s top two teams face off. All our players are ready. We must put up our best performance. You must always be game for these big matches. What are Al Rayyan’s chances of winning the match? There isn’t much difference between Al Duhail and Al Rayyan. If we play to our full potential, we can win this game. I’m sure our new coach Rodolfo has many aces up his sleeve. Who are the Al Duhail players you respect the most? Al Duhail as such are a good team. They also have players of great calibre. Yousef El Arabi and Nam Tae-Hee are the players to watch. They are just outstanding. What’s your target in this season’s QNB Stars League? I always put the team’s interest first. We hope to become champions. Personally, I would like to score more goals this time.