Al Wakrah coach Marquez Lopez is banking on their great run so far in the Qatar Stars League when they take on promoted Al Markhiya in a fifth-round match at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Monday.
Unbeaten Al Wakrah have another chance to reach the top of the table and chase Al Arabi, the other unbeaten team. Al Markhiya are eighth with four points and is searching a second win.
“It is important to know the strength of the opposing team so that we can prepare our team in the best possible way and build attacks in a way that helps us reach the goal,” Lopez said at the pre-match Press conference.
“The match will be difficult for both teams and I hope that we will be successful and be able to continue the series of positive results. We realise that this goal will only be achieved by showing the highest levels of focus throughout the course of the match,” he said.
The Blue Wave occupied the top position briefly last week before Al Arabi reclaimed it a day later, by winning their fourth straight match. The second-placed Wakrah (10 points) can pursue their chase and put pressure on Al Arabi (12) with a victory.
Indeed, Marquez Lopez’s men are favourites against Markhiya, who are eighth with four points. The promoted team have played well within their limitations, and their defensive ways may challenge Wakrah.
The Blue Wave, though, have a strong attack, with Gelson Dala leading their charge with six goals and Mohamed Benyettou’s return has also strengthened their front line.
Markhiya started with an upset win over defending champions Al Sadd but have not tasted success since then. Their coach Abdullah Mubarak said they are improving.
“Though we lost to Al Duhail in the last match, I could notice an improvement in our performance. Wakrah are a strong team but we hope to put pressure on them,” he said.
In today’s other match, Qatar Sports Club will take on Al Shamal at the Al Janoub Stadium. With two wins in four rounds, Shamal have done well to be in sixth spot, while Qatar SC are yet to find their rhythm as they are in ninth spot with four points.