Al Arabi are hoping to secure maximum points in QSL Round 6.
DOHA: Al Arabi are aiming to bounce back at the QNB Stars League (QSL) as they host Al Shahania in their Round 6 fixture today.
The last week’s round saw Al Arabi being pipped by Al Rayyan 1-0, as they slipped one position to 5th in the standings.
Al Arabi coach Luka Bonacic said the team worked on the weaknesses, hoping to give an improved performance in today’s match.
“We were not so bad in the last game, yet we lost to Al Rayyan. Our players lost their confidence and concentration when it mattered the most. We had many problems with finishing and I was not happy with it,” said the Al Arabi coach.
“We train a lot. Still we have problem with consistency in performance. We were in good form and coming off two consecutive wins. Our frontline was not set in the last match. Colombian striker Franco Hurtado played with an injury and he is out for three to four weeks.
“I am sure we will have a tough time against Al Shahania. They play well. I had coached them three years ago, but I know only two or three players in their present squad,” he added.
“We tried to find solutions to some of our problems in the last one month. We can get back to the winning path,” said Bonacic.
Al Shahania, on the other hand, are confident after their win against Qatar SC last week.
“It is true that we are doing well. We are happy with our performance. I want my players to keep working hard with humility. We go step by step. We know our path is difficult,” Al Shahania coach Jose Murcia told reporters on the eve of the match.
Murcia, however, said Al Arabi will be a tough team stressing his ranks to give their best in the match.
“Our ambition is three points from this game. We want to go up in the QNB Stars League standings. We cannot afford to make many mistakes.
“Our performance is somewhat up to the mark. The mentality of our players is good. We do not have big names. Ours is more of a team work. We have to keep faith in our players. I want my players to stay humble.
“Al Arabi are a good team. They have a good coach too. We have seen how they perform,” he said.
In other match today, Qatar SC will host Al Khor, hoping to earn maximum points.
Qatar SC have not won a game ever since they shocked Al Gharafa in Week 1.
The latest defeat also saw coach Abdulla Mubarak being fired and Qatar SC gave charge to their Under-23 coach Yousef Faraj Al Noobi.
Qatar SC will be keen to make up for the lost ground with a win over Al Khor, who are also under new coach Omar Najhi following the dismissal of Tunisian Adel Sellimi.
Qatar SC are 10th and Al Khor 11th with three and one point respectively.
Al Khor’s only point came off their draw with Al Shahania in Round 3 of the League .
