DOHA: Defending Qatar Stars League (QSL) champions Lekhwiya will be aiming to win their fourth straight match when they face Al Kharaitiyat today.
After defeating Al Khor, Al Gharafa and Qatar SC, Lekhwiya, coached by Eric Gerets have moved up the standings and occupy third spot with 13 points. Al Kharaitiyat are bottom of the standings with three points.
Lekhwiya assistant coach Gabriel Dominque said in a press conference that his team should be aware of the dangers that Al Kharaiyat pose ahead of their match that kicks off sat 4:00pm.
He said: “Al Kharaitiyat are a good team. They have Yehya Kibe and Dayoko. They are two great players that we will look out for.”
Qatar striker Sebastian Soria, who scored in last week’s match against Qatar SC, believes his team has improved in the past couple of weeks and will be eager to pick up maximum points.
After losing 2-1 against Al Rayyan last week, Al Kharaiyiat coach Bernard Simondi admits his side faces a a difficult challenge.
He said: “We are against a strong team and it is not the perfect situation for us.”
Elsewhere, Al Arabi will want to bounce back from their 3-0 thrashing at Eljaish when they face Umm Salal at 6:30pm.
Hassan Shehata has yet to guide his team to a win since taking over as manager earlier this season. They sit in tenth position with four points.
Shehata is optimistic that his team has the confidence to turn things around.
“We will try our best to get wins during the next four matches,” the former Egyptian coach said in a press conference.
Al Arabi’s opponents, Umm Salal won 3-2 last week and coach Bertrand Marchand said his team will be wary of Al Arabi’s threat. Marchand’s opinion was echoed by player Mohamed Enas.
He said: “It will be a tough match as Al Arabi are entering the match from a loss. They will play this match like a final.”
In the other QSL match, eleventh-placed Al Sailiyah host Qatar SC, who occupy eighth position, at 4:00pm.
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