The Ooredoo-Qatar Stars League will see intriguing action in six simultaneous kick-offs (6.30pm) on Friday (April 11) in the penultimate round 21 and which could well prove decisive for title chasers Al Sadd and a still hopeful Al Duhail.

While defending champions Al Sadd are leading with 46 points, Al Duhail have 44 points – having slipped from the top following a heavy 0-4 defeat at the hands of Al Shamal in the previous round.

Al Sadd will be meeting the bottom-placed Al Khor at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, while Al Duhail face Al Arabi at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.

Al Arabi are in ninth place with 23 points. Al Duhail need to win the tie to keep the title race alive and to take it into the final round.

A reverse result for Al Duhail could seal the title for Al Sadd – if they are to beat Al Khor.

Al Duhail’s coach Christophe Galtier speaking to the media ahead of the crucial clash against Al Arabi, said: “Everyone believes Al Sadd will win the league. Of course, anything is possible and Al Sadd are at the top of the league, but nothing is guaranteed yet. Certainly, Al Sadd could stumble like we did and the scales in the league could tip.

“We could not handle the pressure (against Al Shamal) when we were the better side and I cannot believe the players were not excited. However, I believe the intense pressure while we were in the lead (in the standings) was a major factor in the way we performed during the match.

“I expect a strong response from the players. I am delivering my message through this press conference to the players and I will also tell them in the dressing room that the Al Shamal match was the biggest disappointment of my entire coaching career. Our fate is no longer in our own hands now that we lost and Al Sadd are on top of the league.

“The players know I am angry and I am convinced they did not lose on purpose, but the pressure got the better of them and that is confusing to me, because we have experienced players. We were not playing to avoid relegation, but we were playing for the title. This kind of pressure should be positive. However, we did not handle it well,” stressed Galtier.

Meanwhile, Al Sadd coach Felix Sanchez said: “We are now preparing for the final two matches in the league and we are fully aware of their importance. We have reached the top spot, but if we want to continue, we must continue winning.

“I believe both teams have a lot to offer in this match. Al Khor, after their recent results, are fighting to stay in the First Division while we are trying to achieve our goal of winning the title. Therefore, both teams are expected to give their best during the match.

“Every victory brings us closer to the title and this is always Al Sadd’s goal. However, we must maintain our current position against Al Khor so that we can enter the final match relying solely on ourselves. Our full focus is now on the Al Khor match and we hope to perform well and secure the three points,” said Sanchez. Al Sadd player Tarek Salman said: “We are not under any pressure. We play as a team and always complement each other. After 20 rounds, we are in the lead and we will not let it slip away in order to retain our league title.”

In one of the other important games, Al Ahli and Umm Salal will be up against each other at the Al Thumama Stadium.

Umm Salal, who are in 11th place in the rankings with 15 points, are in desperate need of a win to avoid being in direct relegation threat – with the bottom-placed Al Khor snapping at their heels with a tally of 13 points.

Umm Salal would therefore aim to clinch the maximum three points and secure a playoff spot. A loss or a draw could see them entering into a complex calculation situation making the task even more difficult in the next and final round of the league competition, especially if Al Khor are to achieve positive results.

In contrast, Al Ahli go into the tie being in 4th place in the standings with 35 points. The Brigadiers would be keen to continue their winning streak and strengthen their position to finish the league season in the top four.

Umm Salal coach Patrice Beaumelle said: “We will do our best to win. We realise that the match will be difficult against a strong team, so it is essential that we fight to achieve our goal of winning.”

Al Ahli coach Igor Biscan said: “Everyone would play the remaining two matches with all their strengths and seriousness in order to secure points. The focus is currently on the Umm Salal match. We are looking forward to concluding the season in the best possible way.”

Friday Fixtures
(All kick-offs 6.30pm)
Al Shamal vs Al Rayyan at Al Khor Stadium
Al Sadd vs Al Khor at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium
Al Wakrah vs Al Gharafa at 974 Stadium
Al Duhail vs Al Arabi at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium
Al Ahli vs Umm Salal at Al Thumama Stadium
Al Shahania vs Qatar SC at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium