Al Arabi's Rafinha in action during a practice session yesterday
Doha: After a shaky start to the QNB Stars League (QSL) season, defending champions Al Sadd are getting back on track, with head coach Juan Manuel Lillo praising his players for showing improvement in every match.
Placed sixth on the table with seven points from five games, Al Sadd will take on Al Shamal on their home turf today, hoping to register their second straight win after beating Al Sailiya last week.
But Lillo is wary of a threat from Al Shamal, who trail Al Sadd by just one point after an impressive start.
“Every opponent has a specialty that makes the match difficult. Al Shamal are an organised side and that makes them difficult for everyone,” Al Sadd coach told a pre-match press conference yesterday.
Lillo said Al Sadd can clinch full points in today’s game but that will need a lot of hardwork from his ranks.
“I am completely satisfied with the improvement in our performance more than the results we obtained. The players are developing from one game to another and the next match against Al Shamal will require great work and more efforts to win,” he said.
Al Shamal, who notched up wins against Al Rayyan and Al Gharafa in the opening weeks, will go into the match after suffering back-to-back defeats to Al Arabi and Qatar SC.
“Al Sadd are a big side but our goal is to achieve a positive result, especially since we lost the last two matches. It will be difficult to accept a third defeat,” said Al Shamal coach Hisham Zahid.
“The players are up to the responsibility and are determined to achieve a positive result.”
Rafinha a strong addition: Younes
Meanwhile, leaders Al Arabi will take on Al Sailiya in today’s second game at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, hoping to keep their top spot with a victory.
Ahead of the match, Al Arabi announced the signing of Brazilian midfielder Rafinha Alcantara from French giants Paris Saint-Germain, with coach Younes Ali terming the former Barcelona player a “strong addition.”
“Rafinha is a great name and will undoubtedly be a strong addition to the QSL and to Al Arabi club,” he said yesterday.
After winning four consecutive matches, Al Arabi lost to Al Duhail in their last match and Younes hoped for a strong comeback from his team.
“We have put behind the loss to Al Duhail. We are waiting for the players to have a strong reaction on the field in our bid to get back to the winning path,” he said.
Al Sailiya have been struggling earning only three points from their first five matches.
Today’s other match will pit Al Gharafa and Umm Salal at the Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium.
Al Gharafa, placed fifth in the standings with eight points will look to maintain their good run while Umm Salal, 10th with five points, will also strive to score a win.
Both the teams saw drawn results in their previous games, with Al Gharafa playing a thrilling 3-3 draw with Al Ahli. Umm Salal played out a goalless draw against Al Rayyan.
Week 6 Fixtures
Today
6:10pm: Al Sadd vs Al Shamal at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium
8:20pm: Al Sailiya vs Al Arabi at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium
8:20pm: Al Gharafa vs Umm Salal at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium
Tomorrow
6:10pm: Al Rayyan vs Al Markhiya at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium
8:20pm: Al Duhail vs Qatar SC at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium
8:20pm: Al Ahli vs Al Wakrah at Grand Hamad Stadium
