Al Arabi players during a training session.
Doha: Coach Younes Ali has urged table toppers Al Arabi to maintain focus as a strong fight is expected for the top three positions in the seventh round, before the QNB Stars League (QSL) takes a break for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The Dream Team are top on the table with 15 points, just two ahead of in-form Al Duhail, with an unbeaten Al Wakrah trailing them by three points.
Younes said leading the standings at an early stage of a long season is not important but what matters for him is that his team must continue playing with the spirit to win every match.
Al Arabi coach Younes Ali
“We have to continue diligence and focus more in the upcoming matches,” Al Arabi coach told a press conference ahead of today’s game against Umm Salal at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
“I always think about winning only, thinking about the lead position is not one of my concerns at the moment. As I said before, I am no longer a champion, but all my thoughts are in the next match to be the best match. And then the next match, the league journey is still long,” Younes added.
He said Umm Salal remain tough side despite missing points in previous weeks after getting off to a good start.
“Umm Salal are a difficult team and our games against each other are always exciting. We are focusing on winning three points against them,” he said.
The Orange Fortress, who played a draw with Al Gharafa last week, are 10th with six points. They will enter the game with an aim to move up on points table.
“Al Arabi are a strong team and they are in a good form too. But we are well prepared and seeking a positive result to improve our position,” said Umm Salal coach Wesam Rizik.
“We have to come up with an improved performance and achieve desirable result. We must remain focused in the entire match against a top side,” he added.
Team working hard for a win, says Al Duhail coach Crespo
Earlier today, Al Duhail will open the seventh round with a match against Al Sailiya at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, hoping to clinch top spot before QSL heads for a break.
The Red Knights can go top with a win on their home turf if Al Arabi fall to Umm Salal later in the evening.
“We are ready for the Al Sailiya match, and everyone is working hard to win and collect points,” Al Duhail coach Hernan Crespo said yesterday.
“This clash against Al Sailiya assumes more importance since it comes before a long break of the league and we must achieve a win and this depends on our focus and discipline on the field,” he added.
Al Sailiya will enter the match after being thrashed 1-5 by Al Arabi last week, with coach Sami Trabelsi hoping for a turnaround.
“It’s an important match before the break. Al Duhail are a strong team and I hope we are ready, especially at the psychological level and that we cross the mental barrier,” he said.
After losing five of their six games so far, Al Sailiya are 11th on the points table with only three points.
“We have gone through more difficult conditions than these and more dangerous than the current situation. We are still at the beginning of the season and we have many more matches. However, we feel great regret for wasting many points,” said Trabelsi.
In another game at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium today, Al Gharafa will take on Al Markhiya, with the game expected to produce exciting action.
Andrea Stramaccioni-coached Al Gharafa are fourth with nine points, getting an edge over Al Ahli and Al Shamal on goal difference. Al Markhiya, coached by Abdullah Mubarak, are in seventh position with eight points.
