Al Sadd's Hassan Al Haydos kicks the ball.
Coach Juan Manuel Lillo hoped Al Sadd would continue their winning run as they face Al Gharafa in a crucial QNB Stars League (QSL) tie at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium, today.
The defending champions – third in the standings – are tied with Al Gharafa on points with both the sides having 19 points each, with the Wolves having an edge over the Cheetahs on goal difference.
While Al Sadd have been phenomenal clinching four consecutive victories following the FIFA World Cup break, Al Gharafa will return to action after a moral-boosting 4-0 thrashing of Al Wakrah in their previous match.
Al Gharafa edged Al Sadd 2-1 in the first leg and Lillo was expecting another tough test for his side in today’s Round 14 match between the two sides.
“Al Gharafa are presenting good levels and was influential and strong in their last match against Al Wakrah. Therefore, we must be careful and well prepared for the game and play with high concentration,” Al Sadd coach told a pre-match press conference.
“The match will be more difficult because we have the same number of points, and it is logical that Al Gharafa will be in the advanced positions in the standings table, due to the high-level players they have. We have great confidence and high morale after the victories we achieved, and we seek to continue in the same way and achieve more victories,” said Lillo.
Al Sadd's Akram Afif in action during a training session, yesterday.
After Al Wakrah drubbing, Al Gharafa coach Pedro Martins was eyeing another fine result against Al Sadd – a side he described as a combination of best foreign and local professionals. “I am optimistic of achieving a positive result. What matters to us is winning the match and it is important to achieve victory because work after winning becomes easier during the week and everyone is more confident and positive,” he said.
“A victory like the one we scored against a good team like Al Wakrah who have good players and the way we beat them was also important because our level will develop,” Martins added.
Earlier today, Al Arabi will take on Al Shamal at Grand Hamad Stadium hoping to clinch full points to cut Al Duhail’s lead.
Al Arabi are placed second with 25 points from 12 matches while Al Duhail lead the standings with 32 points after playing 13 games.
Meanwhile, Al Wakrah will look to bounce back from defeat against Al Gharafa as they meet Qatar SC in first game at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium today.
Qatar SC too suffered defeat to Al Markhiya in their previous clash after winning four successive games.
Al Wakrah with 19 points slipped to sixth place while Qatar SC are fourth with 19 points.
