Al Khor aim to upset Jaish, Rayyan test awaits Sailiya

The Qatar Stars League weekend’s feature match is undoubtedly between Al Sadd and league leaders Lekhwiya, but there are also three other matches lined up today.
The first game of the day will see Al Khor host third-placed El Jaish. The Knights head into the tie after a moral boosting 3-1 win over Al Sailiya and will be targeting back-to-back wins against title chasing Jaish.
Al Khor’s French coach Jean Fernandez said that his side are under no illusion about the tough test that awaits them. “We are facing a title challenger in El Jaish, a strong side with good players. They have a coach in Sabri Lamouchi who is one of the best in the league, it will be a real challenge for us,” he said. “Our last match against Sailiya was a good result for us, we hope we can build on this and put in a good performance against Jaish,” he added.
Al Khor are currently out of the QSL relegation zone, and Fernandez believes that his team’s shaky form, that saw them briefly drop into the relegation places, is over.
“We had a difficult period earlier in the season, losing five games. But we have come out of that period well with important results against Al Rayyan and Al Shahania. The win against Sailiya will give us the confidence to progress this season,” he said
El Jaish won 4-3 against Al Arabi to maintain their grip on third place in the league. French coach Sabri Lamouchi noted that his side will be tested against the side from the north of Qatar.
“It’s always difficult to play Al Khor, they are well organised and we will be expecting a tough challenge. I will be putting out the best team out from what I have to get the best possible result,” he said.
“We took three points, but we conceded three goals and we will be without four players for this match, so for me the win against Al Arabi is not a fantastic result. That said, I am very proud of my players and the spirit they showed. They gave me so much in this game,” added Lamouchi, when asked about his sides helter-skelter win over Al Arabi.  .
In the other afternoon kick-off, Al Rayyan take on Al Sailya knowing that a win will maintain their grip on fourth place. Lions head coach Michael Laudrup said that their 1-0 win over Umm Salal was important for his side. “It was a tough game against Umm Salal, but it was a good test of our character in losing two players and still coming away with the win. We can learn from this game.”
“It’s important for us to come back and remain in the top four and a win against our opponent will help us. We will have to be more clinical this time around to get the three points,” the Danish coach added.
The reigning QSL champions have won three of their last four games and Laudrup is targeting more wins. “We have created plenty of chances but not scored as many goals. The players are working hard in training, we have won four of the last five games so if we can continue that form that would be good for us,” he added.
Laudrup praised striker Sebastian Soria for his performance against Umm Salal. “Sebastian came in and did really well in the final twenty five minutes. He won the penalty and created a number of chances. He showed a good example for the other players,”  he said.
Al Arabi will take on struggling Al Kharaitiyat in the final game of the day. Arabi have been slowly improving in the league and will be looking to register back-to-back wins against Kharaitiyat this season.
As for the Thunders, they will come into the game on a high, following a 2-1 win over relegation rivals Al Wakrah. Ahmad Al-Ajlani’s side are now out of the relegation places and will be aiming to keep it that way come the end of the weekend.

Today’s fixtures
4:20 pm: Al Khor vs El Jaish at Al Khor Stadium; Al Rayyan vs Al Sailiya at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
6:30 pm: Al Sadd vs Lekhwiya at
Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. Al Arabi vs Al Kharaitiyat at Al Arabi Club