Lekhwiya may be the front-runners to lift the Falcon Shield but the Red Knights' boss Djamel Belmadi is not taking anything for granted as they head for their final two games of the Qatar Stars League (QSL).
The top title-contenders will take on Al Ahli in their penultimate game of this edition at their own backyard today and Belmadi will not accept any result other than a win from his team.
They are leading the points table with 59 points, two points ahead of fired-up Al Sadd who thrashed champions Al Rayyan 4-1 in their last game and Belmadi is aware of the threat.
The Lekhwiya coach has warned his ranks of complacency despite their 5-1 rout over El Jaish in their previous clash as they take on strugglers Al Ahli at Lekhwiya Stadium.
“Maybe we have one hand, but not two hands on the trophy. We have to focus on our own performance and just concentrate on the game,” Belmadi told reporters in a pre-match press conference yesterday.
“We have two games left for this season, our aim is clear against Al Ahli that we have to win both games to achieve our target of lifting the league title” said the Algerian coach.
Belmadi reposed confidence on Edgar Da Silva predicting a key role for the new signing who scored on his debut against El Jaish.
“Edgar will have a key role with us in the league and the cup competitions. I hope he will improve game after game, he has shown plenty of desire in training. He made a good impact against El Jaish and he will give us another option towards the end of the season.”
The coach informed that key defender Chico Flores will not be available for the crucial match as well as for the Champions League game.
“We are taking it day by day with him at the moment with the injury to his calf,” he said.
Meanwhile, Al Ahli, who have just recorded one victory from their last five outings, are looking to conclude the league on a high note with their second win of the season over Lekhwiya.
“This will be a key game for us, we need the three points to pull away from trouble. We tend to play well against the bigger teams in the QSL, and I hope that we have a repeat performance against Lekhwiya like we did in the first half of the season,” Al Ahli coach Yusef Adam said.
“We will have to be at full concentration if we are to get the result we need against one of the best sides in Qatar. We lost the last game at the very end last time so we have to be focused,” he added.
Adam was confident his team, which is currently placed on eighth position, will not be pulled into a relegation dog-fight.
“The results are not following the performances at the moment, the players are doing well and putting plenty of effort in. We are not concerned about being relegated,” he said.
