“A strong confrontation awaits us against El Jaish. The time gap between the previous game and this one is very short, which didn’t let us to do much,” said Oliveira.
“However we have worked hard to prepare the team. What is important for us is to put the previous games behind us,” he added.
Lekhwiya are also looking to win this match and take second place from Jaish in the QSL standings.
“This match is between the second and third place teams and hence it is very crucial for both sides. El Jaish is ahead of us by only two points and if we would like to reduce the points difference we have to win and overcome El Jaish,” said Oliveira.
About the status of Congolese striker Alain Dioko who moved recently to Lekhwiya, Oliveira said: “Dioko has his own special style and we are trying to assist him to be effective.”
Commenting on the return of Muntari and his readiness, Oliveira said: “Muntari is already included in the AFC Champions League registration list. So yes, he will take part in the coming clash.”
Lekhwiya also have the AFC Champions League match against Iran’s Zob-Ahan on February 23 and are looking at this match to gain some momentum.
“Indeed such results leave an impact on future games. When you win, the players are motivated for more but when you lose, this may affect negatively on the team. It is our role as coaching staff to help the players and enhance the understanding that they should take it step by step and match by match,” said Oliveira.
Alain Dioko who has recently moved to Lekhwiya from Al Ahli is expecting his team to produce a strong reaction to their recent back to back losses and get back to winning ways.
“We have lost two matches against Al Sailiya and Al Arabi. Now we have a strong test especially ahead of our ACL match. We will enter this match with strength in order to win and gain the three points which is the most important thing.”
Jaish want to stay second: Lamouchi
Meanwhile, Jaish head coach Sabri Lamouchi conceded that Al Rayyan were running away with the title and that his team is looking to stay put in the second spot. “Previously the fierce competition was between Al Sadd, Lekhwiya and El Jaish and now we have Al Rayyan. I truly like this team and the head coach. I don’t only congratulate Al Rayyan but I would like to congratulate the Qatar Stars League on having such great team,” said Lamouchi.
“Logically it is difficult to think about the top of the league table as we are now focusing on the second position with other teams that are looking to overcome teams such as Lekhwiya, Al Arabi and Al Sadd,” he added.
Jaish goalkeeper Khalifah Abu Bakr said that his side was ready to face the defending champions Lekhwiya. “The match is considered very crucial for us and we are playing against one of the best teams in the recent five years, which should be respected. We have trained and prepared well for this game.”
Today’s Fixtures
Al Kharaitiyat vs Mesaimeer (4:45pm)
Lekhwiya vs El Jaish (7:15pm)
Kharaitiyat not taking bottom-placed Mesaimeer lightly
By Sports Reporter/Doha
Al Kharaitiyat coach Amar Osim (left) and Mesaimeer coach Rodion Gacanin.
Al Kharaitiyat will be looking to get points from their clash against Mesaimeer when the two sides clash today in the first match of the Qatar Stars League.
Al Kharaitiyat head coach Amar Osim said his side won’t take Mesaimeer lightly.
“We remember Mesaimeer well especially from the first leg match which we lost, although we have won other stronger teams. We felt very disappointed after that defeat but we have learnt our lesson and won’t commit the same mistake again,” Osim said.
“Now our team is under lots of pressure while Mesaimeer doesn’t have pressure at all because they are almost relegated to the second division. We have to improve our standing in the league table to stay in the safe zone,” Osim added.
Kharaitiyat has had a bad run of results but Coach Osim said that the losses came against teams much bigger than theirs.
“Regarding the team tactics, we have suffered three consecutive defeats which will naturally affect negatively on the team.
“We can’t be compared to El Jaish, Lekhwiya or Al Rayyan. Every season we keep on struggling to avoid the relegation zone but let’s admit that the league schedule doesn’t help us at all. We have lost to the big teams, but we will prevail against the other team with similar circumstances,” he said.
Mesaimeer coach Rodion Gacanin said that it was now up to his players to give it their all and prove that they are worthy of staying in the QSL.
“Definitely we are looking forward to repeat our victory over Kharaitiyat. If we played against them five days ago, thing would be much better, as the players are mentally suffering now from the previous two rounds. We have to focus on all our remaining game and will see what will happen,” Gacanin said.
Commenting on the lack of goals in recent matches, he said: “Indeed we didn’t score any goals but we do perform well and create goal-scoring opportunities.
“We lack the final touch or in fact a qualified striker to translate such opportunities into goals. It is hard to speak now on the calculations of our survival and it is better to focus on Kharaitiyat game.”
