Xavi Hernandez
Al Sadd head coach Xavi Hernandez has said his team must produce a winning performance against Al Rayyan in today’s ‘Qatar Clasico’ to keep hopes alive for retaining their QNB Stars League (QSL) title.
The Wolves will host Al Rayyan today at Al Sadd Stadium, hoping to replace the Lions in second spot in the standings, led by Al Duhail with 39 points.
Al Sadd are on 32 points, three points behind Diego Aguirre-coached Al Rayyan.
A victory today will bring the defending champions to the second spot and will ensure Al Sadd remain in the title-hunt as the league nears conclusion.
But, Xavi is concerned about his team’s recent form as it earned just two points in their last two QSL outings.
“I am very disappointed with the draws in games against Umm Salal and Al Arabi. The loss of the two match points has had a great impact,” Xavi said ahead of Al Rayyan’s game, which will kick off at 7:05pm.
The Spaniard said Al Sadd must grab maximum points in all their remaining QSL fixtures.
“Our goals are similar to Al Rayyan, and our aim is to win. A draw will not help us, and losing will end our dream of winning the league,” he said.
“We have 6 finals in which 18 points are very important to us and we depend on the results of the leaders (Al Duhail),” Xavi added.
He said absence of key players did not have much impact in the previous matches, saying his team need proper execution.
“We were not successful when it came to the final touch, especially in the matches against Umm Salal and Al Arabi, and therefore our position got complicated despite the good performance in all the matches,” said Xavi.
Al Duhail eye maximum points against Al Sailiya
Meanwhile, points leaders Al Duhail are eyeing a win over Al Sailiya in today’s first game, which will be played at Al Ahli Stadium.
Al Sailiya – placed fifth with 23 points – registered victories over Qatar SC and Al Gharafa in their previous two games, and Al Duhail coach Walid Regragui said his team will have to work hard for a win.
“The match will be difficult because we will face a team that is going through good times. They achieved excellent results in the league and are coming from back-to-back victories. So I expect a tough battle against Al Sailiya, said Regragui.
“We should be at the top of the focus against Al Sailiya and play strongly on the field. Now we have the return of Almoez Ali, Mario Mandzukic, Luis Martin and Mohamed Imad, and that is good for us,” he said.
“There is no doubt that winning against Al Sailiya will be good, but it will not give us the title. We have to look at all the matches with big importance,” Al Duhail coach added.
Meanwhile, Al Sailiya coach Sami Trabelsi said his team will go well prepared against an in-form side.
“It is a very important match against a big team, so we are working during the training on focus and discipline in order to come out with a positive result, especially since Al Duhail are the league leaders and one of the best clubs in Asia," said Trabelsi.
He said finishing the league among top four remains his team's prime target and hoped for better result against Al Duhail.
“Although our matches against Al Duhail were always strong, like our matches this season in the league and Qatar Cup, but small details went in favour of the rivals in the previous two games. So we want to correct this because our target is to finish in the top four."
"At the moment, our target is to get a positive result against Al Duhail," said Trabelsi.
Today’s fixtures
4:55pm: Al Sailiya vs Al Duhail at Al Ahli Stadium
7:05pm: Al Rayyan vs Al Sadd at
Al Sadd Stadium
