Al Sadd and Al Ahli are set for a thrilling showdown on Saturday at Al Thumama Stadium as both sides aim to stay in contention for the Qatar Stars League title. The stakes are high, with the two teams tied at 21 points in the standings, separated only by goal difference in second and third places, respectively.
League leaders Al Duhail, with 25 points, sit four points ahead, making this fixture crucial for Al Sadd and Al Ahli to keep the title race alive. Fresh off a dramatic 2-1 victory over Al Nassr in the AFC Champions League Elite, Al Sadd come into this encounter riding high on confidence. However, the tight schedule has left little time for recovery, a concern highlighted by coach Felix Sanchez. “The victory against Al Nassr gives us confidence, but we must quickly shift our focus to Al Ahli,” Sanchez said. “They are having a fantastic season, and if we want to compete for the title, we can’t afford to drop points.”
The Wolves will bank on the dynamic trio of Akram Afif, Cristo Perez, and captain Hassan al-Haydos to provide attacking firepower, while Tareq Salman and Meshaal Barsham will anchor the defence.
Sanchez added: “Winning against a team like Al Nassr gives us confidence, but now we must focus on our next match. We have a short time to recover, so we need to be very focused for the Al Ahli game.”
Under Igor Biscan’s guidance, Al Ahli have transformed into a formidable unit this season. The Brigadiers’ blend of tactical discipline and attacking flair has seen them emerge as genuine contenders. The return of Julian Draxler from injury has further bolstered their prospects.
Biscan expressed his respect for the opposition but maintained focus on his team’s objectives. “I have full respect for Al Sadd; they are one of the strongest teams and include players who play in national teams. As Al Ahli coach, I only look at the match from one perspective, which is to provide a distinguished level that leads to victory,” he said.
Draxler, pivotal in Al Ahli’s resurgence, emphasized the positive team spirit. “The atmosphere in the squad is fantastic. We are all working towards making this season special for our fans,” the German playmaker said.
Al Ahli’s attacking line, featuring Draxler, Driss Fettouhi, and Jassem Omar, will aim to challenge Al Sadd’s defensive resolve in what promises to be a tightly contested battle.
Later on Saturday, league leaders Al Duhail face bottom-placed Al Khor at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium. With 25 points from 10 matches, Al Duhail are determined to widen the gap at the top, while Al Khor are desperate for their first win of the season.
Coach Christophe Galtier stressed the importance of maintaining focus, despite the apparent mismatch. “These games can be deceptive. We must impose our style and maintain focus to secure the win,” he said.
“We played a great match against Al Arabi and achieved a big win, but we must start the match against Al Khor with all seriousness in order to collect the full points of the match. We must work seriously and focus in such matches, and as I mentioned, the match is not easy and we learned a lesson from the Al Khor and Al Sadd matches after Al Khor scored two consecutive goals despite Al Sadd’s return, but we must benefit from such situations and learn the lesson and impose our style in order to win the league,” the Frenchman added.
The Red Knights will look to their potent attacking trio of Almoez Ali, Michael Olunga, and Edmilson Junior to dismantle Al Khor’s defence. Meanwhile, Al Khor coach Mehdi Nafti, aware of his side’s struggles, is looking to the duo of Yohan Boli and Ayman Hussein to inspire an upset.
“We must work double hard and improve the squad to move out of the danger zone,” Nafti admitted, hinting at reinforcements in the upcoming transfer window.
The third match of the day sees Qatar SC host Al Rayyan at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium. Both teams are locked at 10 points in the standings, making this a crucial tie for improving their positions.
Qatar SC, reeling from a loss to Al Shahania, aim to bounce back by leveraging the experience of Sebastian Soria, Badr Benoun, and Carlinhos. Coach Youssef Safri has focused on addressing defensive weaknesses in training.
Al Rayyan, under Younes Ali, are equally eager to recover from a defeat to Al Shamal. With stars like Achraf Bencharki, Trezeguet, and Thiago Mendes, they pose a formidable threat to Qatar SC’s aspirations.