Al Arabi and Al Kharaitiyat are both desperate for points as they aim to stave off relegation when they clash in a QNB Stars League match today.
Al Arabi are 11th in the standings with 12 points and Al Kharaitiyat 10th with 13, and both are coming off defeats. While Al Arabi lost 1-5 to Al Sadd, Al Kharaitiyat suffered a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Al Gharafa.
Al Kharaitiyat coach Yasser Sebaei was candid enough to admit his team are fighting for survival in the top flight.
“Both teams are in the bottom of the league table and both are struggling for survival. We hope to end the match with the three points in our favour to get relieved from the heavy pressure on us,” said Sebaei.
“Al Arabi have some good players and that will make the match tough and strong. There is no doubt that Al Arabi is a big team, however our status is very difficult. We have no other way but to defeat them.
“We need to put more focus in the coming games, hoping also to avoid injuries as well and have the best of luck to be on our side.
“I believe 100 per cent that the team will stay in the QNB Stars League. Everyone in the club is optimistic. There are more than three teams in the danger zone.
Al Arabi coach Luka Bonacic said things were indeed looking bleak for his team.
“We have no other alternative than winning all the coming matches. There is no doubt that things are really difficult for me as a head coach or the technical staff or the players in general, especially in view of the non-satisfactory results.
“We must stay fully focused on the Al Kharaitiyat game and I have confidence in the players’ ability to win. There is no other solution for our team, but to win and gain every single point from now on.”
Meanwhile, the match between Umm Salal and Al Sailiya today is sure to evoke a keen interest given the fact that both teams are eager to finish among the top four.
Umm Salal coach Talal El Karkouri said he rued the 5-0 defeat against Duhail last week.
“Yes. We are coming off a big defeat at the hands of Al Duhail. We were not focusing fully on the ball. We were not concentrating fully on the game either. But then, Al Duhail are the strongest side around. They have players of great calibre. Especially their professional players,” he said.
“The loss has affected us psychologically. We are trying hard to forget the disappointment. As a coach, I cannot be so hard with the players. Sometimes, some players shy away from their duties and that will put the entire team in a spot.
“It is very difficult to change the mindset of the players. We are telling them to deal with difficult situations easily. It is important to put behind the disappointments. We have to wriggle out of such circumstances.
Al Sailiya assistant coach Amin Fariha also echoed similar sentiments.
“It’s a difficult game. We don’t have many games left in this season’s league competition. So we have to win this match. For that, we have to be on top of our game against Umm Salal,” said Fariha.
“It is down to the last few matches and the situation demands much from all teams. We have no injury worries and midfielder Majdi Siddiq will return from his suspension. It is very crucial that we win this match as that will put us in a situation when we are four points ahead of our closest challengers Umm Salal. Right now, the difference is only one point.”
Al Kharaitiyat coach Yasser Sebaei.
