Sport
First win in sight as Al Ahli face Qatar SC, Al Sailiya to meet Al Arabi
Al Ahli and Qatar SC will go head-to-head in the third round of the Qatar Stars League (QSL) at Al Thumama Stadium on Thursday, with both sides targeting their first victory of the season.
The two teams have collected just one point each from their opening matches and will be eager to secure all three points. Al Ahli sit 10th in the standings after a thrilling 3-3 draw with Lusail in their previous outing. Coach Borja Jimenez believes his side must turn their performances into results.
"We dropped two points in our previous match against Lusail, and the team has no option but to win to gain points and confidence,” Jimenez said. "The team is performing well. They just need to secure points and then they will be outstanding in the remaining matches. "We need focused play against Qatar SC, especially since they are also a strong team,” he added.
Qatar SC, meanwhile, are 11th after suffering a heavy 6-2 defeat to Al Sadd before earning a point in a draw with Al Wakrah. Coach Marquez Lopez acknowledged the challenge facing his side, particularly with several players unavailable.
"Our match against Al Ahli is crucial and our goal is to achieve a positive result,” Lopez said. "The absences are significant, especially when they involve more than one key player. In our first match, we fielded five players who were making their debut, so we are working with the available players and preparing them appropriately.
"Al Ahli are a strong team and they have signed six new players who have strengthened their squad. We expect a tough match against them,” he added. With both sides still searching for their first win, Thursday’s encounter promises to be a closely contested battle for valuable points.
The day's second match will see Al Sailiya take on Al Arabi at the Khalifa International Stadium at 7.15pm.Al Sailiya are at the bottom of the table with zero points, having lost the first two matches. They would hope to break their losing streak and make a fresh start. Meanwhile, Al Arabi occupy seventh place with two points and aim to make up for lost ground and achiev their first win to improve their position in the standings.
Al Arabi coach Cosmin Contra, while speaking to the media ahead of the match against Al Sailiya, said, the upcoming match against Al Sailiya is very tough. The fact that the opponent stumbled at the beginning of the season does not mean the match will be easy.
"Our team’s tactical system is improving with each match and I have complete confidence in the ability of all players to translate the tactical ideas to the field and return with all three points to strengthen the team’s position in the standings,” he added.
Al Sailiya coach Mirghani Al Zain said, "The match against Al Arabi will be tough and challenging. I have confidence in our players’ ability to perform at the required level and deliver a strong showing."
On Friday, Al Shamal will play Al Shahania while Lusail will meet Al Wakrah. Defending champions Al Sadd, who have won both their games so far and also the Qatar Cup semi-final, will play Al Gharafa on Saturday while Al Duhail meet Al Rayyan earlier the same evening.
Schedule
On Thursday:
5pm: Al Ahli vs Qatar SC at Al Thumama Stadium
7.15pm: Al Sailiya vs Al Arabi at Khalifa Intl Stadium
On Friday:
5pm: Al Shamal vs Al Shahania at Al Bayt Stadium
7.15pm: Lusail vs Al Wakrah at Lusail Stadium
On Saturday:
5pm: Al Rayyan vs Al Duhail at Ahmaad Bin Ali Stadium
7.15pm: Al Sadd vs Al Gharafa at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.