Al Duhail's Ali Afif (centre) trains with team-mates.
Al Duhail will follow a straightforward plan to seal the QNB Stars League 2019-2020 title, which is to collect all three points in their last match against Al Ahli at Al Janoub Stadium this Friday, says team’s seasoned midfielder Ali Afif.
Al Duhail, who are leading the points standings with 49 points, are hot favourites to clinch the crown as win against eighth-placed Al Ahli will confirm their status as the new QSL champions. Any setback in the match can cost them dearly as Al Rayyan – the other title contenders - are just one point behind the Red Knights and will play sixth-placed Al Wakrah at the same time.
But, Al Duhail are not pondering any other equation than a victory in their final game of the season.
“All our focus will be on defeating Al Ahli and win the precious QSL title,” Afif said in an interview as Al Duhail prepare for their final QSL game of the season.
“We are not thinking about the other possibilities or other contenders and are just aiming to give a match-winning performance against our opponents,” he added.
The 32-year-old said Al Duhail players are confident and excited ahead of the last game as they are just one win away from the title and confirming a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup.
“Every member of Al Duhail want to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup. It will be a double delight for us – winning the QSL crown and confirming a spot in FIFA Club World Cup in which top clubs of the world participate,” said Afif.
A team which will win the QSL will represent Qatar as winner of host country’s major football league at this year’s FIFA Club World Cup. Last year, Al Sadd featured in the prestigious tournament.
Meanwhile, Afif admitted injuries during the season affected his team’s performance and said his team did well in absence of key players.
“Injuries can affect any team in the world. We lost some big players during our campaign like Youssef Msakni, Ahmed Yasser and Bassam Al Rawi. They have a lot of influence in team’s performance,” he added.
Afif also praised Walid Regragui, who took over as Al Duhail coach during the season replacing Rui Faria.
“Regragui is a very enthusiastic coach and has new ideas, because in football it works a lot. It is wonderful that the players are learning new things. His arrival was good for the team,” said Al Duhail star before adding that because of all the hardwork Al Duhail deserve to be the QSL champions.
