El Jaish face Al Sadd in top-of-the-table clash

The final match of the week for the first half of the season will be a top of the table clash between El Jaish and Al Sadd. This match will take place on December 22 at the Lekhwiya Stadium.El Jaish will have plenty of motivation to get back to winning ways to overtake Al Sadd at the top of the QSL standings. Last time out, the soldiers fell to only their second domestic defeat of the season at the hands of an in-form Al Gharafa side, 2-1. The defeat meant that Al Sadd’s 3-1 win over Al Sailiya took top spot for the first time this season.Sabri Lamouchi has stressed the importance of being at the top of the table come the end of the season, not in December in his recent pre-match press conferences. However the French coach will be well aware that a defeat to Sadd could deal his side a major psychological blow in the title race.Jaish striker Romarinho has been quiet in front of goal since picking up the QSL player of the month award from November. The Brazilian forward has only scored once so far in December and Lamouchi will be counting on the former Corinthians man to find his goal scoring touch in this must win game.As for Al Sadd, they still remain undefeated in the QSL this season and have enjoyed a fine December in the league scoring 17 goals and conceding just 1 in their four games so far. Confidence will be high amongst Jesualdo Ferreira’s side as they look to register their sixth straight win in the QSL.Over recent weeks it seems that Sadd have right mix between attack and defence to consider themselves one of the favourites for the QSL title come the end of the season. One player who represents this newly found balance in the squad is defender Morteza Pouraliganji.The Iranian international has been helpful at both ends of the pitch in the last two weeks contributing to clean sheets and notching two goals in as many games for his team. Pouraliganji is a constant threat from set pieces, and that could be the key for Sadd to get all three points, in what will be a closely fought encounter.It certainly promises to be a match to savour when El Jaish take on Al Sadd in a table-topping QSL match of the week for round 13.QSL Talking PointsIt’s all change at the top of the QSL standings as league leaders El Jaish fell a 2-1 defeat the hands of in-form Al Gharafa. Goals from Kriszti?n Németh & Vladim?r Weiss gave Pedro Caixina’s men all three points as they consolidated their position in fourth place. El Jaish’s defeat meant that both Al Sadd and Lekhiwya had the chance to leapfrog the soldiers and both sides grabbed their opportunity with important victories on Friday evening.Al Sadd posted a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Al Sailiya, ensuring that they ended round 12 atop of the QSL standings. Goals from Morteza Pouraliganji, substitute Khalfan Ibrahim and captain Xavi, who notched this fourth goal in as many league games ensured a comfortable afternoon for the Wolves. Sadd will now take on Jaish in a top of the table clash in round 13.As for Lekhwiya, they needed a 96th minute winner from young midfielder Almoez Ali to grab all three points with a 2-1 win against Al Ahli. The goal wasn’t without controversy, with the winner coming two minutes beyond the allotted stoppage time. Despite protests from Al Ahli management and the whole squad, Lekhwiya came away with the win to keep their unbeaten start to the season intact.At the bottom of the QSL table, Al Kharaitiyat registered an important win in their fight to beat the drop, defeating fellow strugglers Muaither 1-0. A last-gasp header from captain Dominigos meant that Ahmad al-Ajlani picked up his first win since taking charge of the Thunders over a month ago.Umm Salal has a new coach in Mahmoud Jaber, and the Egyptian didn’t waste any time in getting the Orange Fortress back to winning ways. Umm Salal ran out easy 3-1 winners against Al Wakrah, thanks in part to a well-taken match winner from young Qatari attacker Hilal Mohammed. Jaber will be aiming to pick up back to back wins when Umm Salal takes on Al Arabi in one of the stand out ties of round 13.Al Shahania showed plenty of fighting spirit to come back from a goal down to register their fourth draw in six QSL games. The 2-2 draw against Al Khor means that Jose Fernando’s side is comfortably away from the relegation zone, heading into their final game of the first half of the season against Lekhwiya.The Doha derby between Al Arabi and Al Rayyan closed out the weekend’s action on Saturday evening. The game didn’t disappoint as Al Rayyan ran out 3-0 winners. Goals from Koh Myong-jin, Sebastian Soria and a Vivien Assie Koua own goal gave Michael Laudrup’s side Doha derby bragging rights.