Last chance for Rayyan to salvage season

Al Rayyan coach Manuel Jimenez (centre) speaks to the media during the pre-match press conference yesterday. At left is player Abdullah Alawi.By Joe Koraith/DohaIt is now time for the big boys to step in. The second round of the Emir Cup which kicks off today will see six teams from the Qatar Stars League (QSL) doing their best to lay their hands on what is the last piece of silverware for this season. Add to that a newly promoted side trying to prove their mettle against the QSL teams and this round of matches makes for many interesting sub-plots.The spotlight, though, will be firmly on Al Rayyan who take on Al Kharaitiyat. Rayyan were relegated from the QSL this season having finished second-last and this tournament is a great chance for them to show the other teams that this season was just an anomaly. “We had a bad season but we will try to focus on Emir Cup and specifically the match tomorrow. The Cup is different from the league because it has a playoff format. Hopefully we will play our best tomorrow,”said Al Rayyan player Abdullah Alawi during the pre-match press conference yesterday.Rayyan coach Manuel Jimenez said the lack of depth in the squad affected his side greatly but insisted his side will be back stronger. “We can’t play with less than 20 players but we did in the league so you can imagine how difficult it was. The team that played this season isn’t the team that played last season. But we have to motivate the payers to play better. Al Rayyan needs to achieve great results in the future.“I’m very proud to be the coach of Al Rayyan, maybe it wasn’t our best season this year but I assure you that the players will play their best,” added Jimenez.Kharaitiyat, know that despite their opponents being relegated, Rayyan are still a force to reckon with. “This is a big match for us. Al Rayyan are a big team regardless of their performance during the season and they have a huge fan base that supports them. We hope to be ready and qualify to the next round,” said Kharaitiyat player Nabeel Anward.Qatar SC, the team that brought about Rayyan’s relegation with a 5-0 win over champions Lekhwiya, are also playing in this round. They will face Muaither in a match that they are expected to win. “This competition has a playoff format, so if you make a mistake, it’s finished, you get out of the competition so it’s crucial that we don’t make mistakes,” said Qatar SC coach Sebastiao Lazaroni.Newly promoted Al Shamal began their Emir Cup campaign in style winning 4-2 against Al Shahaniya. But now they face QSL side Al Khor. This match will help the side determine where they stand against the Stars League teams. “We want to show that we can play against first division teams. I’m looking forward to seeing how the team will play tomorrow against Al Khor because I want to see the difference in level of performance between first division and second division teams seeing that we’re a first division team next season,” said Shamal coach Silvio D’Alberto.TODAY’S FIXTURESAt Al Arabi Sports Club Muaither vs Qatar SC (5:15pm) Al Shamal vs Al Khor (7:45pm)At Qatar Sports ClubAl Markhiya vs Al Wakrah (5:15pm)Al Rayyan vs Al Kharaitiyat (7:45pm)Al Shamal coach Silvio D’Alberto (centre) and player Hamad Faraj al-Mas (right) during the pre-match press conference yesterday.