Al Markhiya players during a training session in this file photo.
With two matches remaining, Al Markhiya are aiming to cap off the QNB Stars League (QSL) season the way they kicked off the country’s top flight last August.
Fresh from their promotion from the Second Division, Al Markhiya had shocked defending champions Al Sadd 4-3 in opening match of the season and a string of impressive performances since then have ensured their stay in the league for the next season.
With seven wins and three draws, Al Markhiya are seventh in the standings with 24 points and are already in the safe zone with QSL regulars like Al Rayyan (17 points) and Al Sailiya (13 points) battling to avoid relegation.
Back-to-back victories against Al Shamal including a 3-1 triumph in their previous clash did wonders for the side which is now eyeing a hat-trick of wins in their penultimate match of the league.
Al Markhiya assistant coach Henk Duut during a press conference.
They face bottom side Al Sailiya in their next match which is scheduled to be played at Grand Hamad Stadium tomorrow. Al Markhiya will meet Al Ahli in their last match of the season but they are currently focusing on game against the Peregrines.
“The team’s morale is high after wins against Al Shamal. We deserved to win these matches and now we will go into our last two matches with the same approach of claiming maximum points,” Al Markhiya assistant coach Henk Duut told a pre-match press conference.
Duut was aware Al Sailiya would pose a difficult challenge in the match, particularly after gaining much-needed confidence from their thumping 4-0 victory over Al Ahli last week.
“Our next match against Al Sailiya will be tough and we will need to focus and give top quality performance against them,” he said.
The Peregrines, who have 13 points, are desperate to earn wins as despite their victory over the Brigadiers, they are still three points behind Umm Salal – placed 11th on the points table – with Al Shamal and Al Rayyan leading the Mirghani Al Zain-coached side by four points.
Meanwhile, Al Markhiya goalkeeper of Loay Sharif Ashour said the team was ready for the match.
“We have prepared well for Al Sailiya challenge and we are ready. The team has showed a lot of fighting spirit and desire to win this season, and we hope to continue our performance till the end,” he said.
