Al Wakrah and Al Kharaitiyat will lock horns tomorrow in QSL play-off at Al Ahli Stadium.
Doha: Eyeing a return to the coveted QNB Stars League (QSL), Al Wakrah are unperturbed about Al Kharaitiyat’s ‘favourite’ tag as both sides will meet tomorrow in a play-off at Al Ahli Stadium tomorrow.
The play-off is between the 11th-placed team in the QSL and Second Division runners-up.
Al Kharaitiyat were assured of the 11th spot following their 3-2 victory over Qatar SC in Week 21, while Al Wakrah finished second behind Al Shahania in the Second Division whose champions directly qualify for the QSL.
“The play-off match against Al Kharaitiyat is very crucial and decisive. We had good preparations for the game in all aspects. We had enough time to prepare the team as we practised some tactical maneuvers for the match,” said Al Wakrah coach Marquez Lopez ahead of the match.
“Al Kharaitiyat are said by many to be the favourites to win the game, but that doesn’t concern us at all. We will play to win. It is quite normal when one team has better chances, the rivals have nothing to lose. I have prepared my team to win,” he added.
“Al Kharaitiyat are a team that has lost many matches in the QNB Stars League. That’s why they’re in this situation. I want my players to enjoy the game and win it,” said Lopez.
Al Kharaitiyat coach Yasser Sebaei admitted Al Wakrah will be a tough side to beat in the do-or-die match.
“When I said Al Wakrah is an open book, I meant that I have studied and observed their team. Al Wakrah, of course, is a big name in Qatar football with long history. We do respect them as differences fade away in such crucial games,” he said.
“Our team is ready for almost one month ever since we qualified for play-off even though we endured a big loss to Al Sadd in the QNB Stars League’s final week. Al Wakrah’s frontline is strong with quality professional players, while their defence is not up to the mark,” he added.
“I do not want to put pressure on the players. Our playing system and discipline should lead us to victory. We have two key players missing the match (Mehdi Lekhmassi and Abdelaziz Al Ansari) due to injuries,” said Yasser.
If the play-off tie ends in a draw after regular time, an extra time of 30 minutes (divided into two halves) will be allowed. If the deadlock still continues, it will be decided in tie-breaker.
The match will kick off at 6:20pm.
