Lekhwiya coach Michael Laudrup (left) and Al Ahli midfielder Moitaba Jabari pose with their respective ‘Coach’ and ‘Player of the month’ trophies.
The first coach of the month award was announced today after the Football Development department with Prozone reviewed the match statistics for the month of August. Michael Laudrup’s team - Lekhwiya outperformed the other 13 QSL member clubs in a number of key technical and performance indicators.
The League has outlined a number of key targets for QSL clubs to aspire to and hopefully exceed. With Lekhwiya winning their first two games of the season emphatically and surpassing certain set targets, this evening head coach Michael Laudrup received the much prized accolade at Lekhwiya’s training pitches.
Lekhwiya started off their defense by convincingly beating Qatar Sports Club 5-0 and in then in Round 2 they continued in the same vein, putting three past Al Khor (away). 8 goals and none conceded is a high bench mark to follow and has so far provided a dream start for the Dane’s side with six points in the bag.
Based on the two QSL matches so far, the Red Knights did very well in the distribution stats. On average Lekhwiya had a high amount of possessions (662) as well as successful passes (504). They also produced a high number of forward passes (207) with a quick tempo based on one touch passing. In addition there was a strong emphasis on attacking, taking on average 11 shots at goal.
The champions will have to wait until Friday the 12th of September to get stuck back into the league. They will face Al Gharafa at home.
Michael Laudrup joined the Qatar Stars League during the 2014 summer break, replacing Belgian head coach Eric Gerets.
The former Barcelona and Real Madrid legend has stated publicly that domestic dominance and Asian Champions League glory are his main objectives. If his side continues to play at this level and intensity, then very few teams will trouble them.
Impressive Jabari
Al Ahli creative midfielder Mojtaba Jabari has been presented with the Qatar Stars League Player of the month award today at the technical committee football pitch.
The Iranian picked up the award after two impressive displays last month in Rounds 1 & 2. According to statistics provided by Prozone, Jabari got a performance rating of 95% out of a 100 (on average). In the first match against Al Sailiya Jabari scored two goals to help secure a vital first win of the season for the Brigadiers.
Playing in an advanced position this season the midfielder averaged 68 passes with 62 successful completions. In addition the playmaker also had two assists and was part of setting up another goal in their second game of the season against Qatar Sports Club, a game which they went on to win 3-1 (away).
On average he also made 5 penalty area entries (balls played into the penalty area) and 6.5 final third entries passes, the Czech head coach Milan Máčala has made him one of the central figures in the squad and will hope he can stay injury free, if Al Ahli want to mount a serious challenge this season.
His double strike and assists have propelled Al Ahli into second place in the Qatar Stars League and the team remains unbeaten.
In Round 3 the Brigadiers will face Al Khor who will be desperate for a win as the team from the north has still not posted any points on the board.
The Player of the Month award recognizes the best Qatar Stars League player each month of the season.
The recipient is chosen by the Competition and Football Development department according to statistical benchmarks set out at the beginning of the season.
Qatar draw with Morocco
Qatar’s national football team drew a blank with Morocco, in the match played last night in Rabat.
The friendly is part of the Qatari team’s preparations for the 2014 Gulf Cup of Nations, set to be held in Saudi Arabia starting November 22. The Moroccan team for its part is preparing for the African Cup of Nations, which will start in 2015.
The Qatari team was the better side throughout and wasted a number of chances to go ahead, including a one on one chance for Sebastian Soria against the Moroccan goalkeeper.
The Qatari national team will continue its preparations for the Gulf Cup of Nations starting with training on Saturday in Aspire. The team will face Peru in another friendly on Tuesday.