Al Kharaitiyat face Al Khor today in the 17th round of the Qatar Stars League. Kharaitiyat  are just out of the relegation zone in tenth place. Head coach Ahmad al-Ajlani stressed that the match against Al Khor is an important one for his side.
“We are playing a direct relegation rival, and it’s a six pointer for both teams. We have prepared the team well this week and everyone knows that this will be a big battle against Al Khor on Friday.”
The Thunders have won three of their last five QSL games, but al-Ajlani insisted that points are the focus of his side. “We have made progress in recent weeks. The important thing is that we need points to go up the table. In these situations, good performances don’t mean anything unless we don’t get any points. Al Khor are in good form at the moment, they played well against El Jaish, but it’s all about how they play game not the form prior to it. We have to react appropriately and be ready for what Al Khor will throw at us” added Tunisian coach.
Al Khor head into the game on a high, following a encouraging 0-0 draw with third-placed El Jaish last time out. The Knights have only lost once in their last five QSL games and will be aiming to pull further away from the relegation zone with a win.  
Al Khor’s French coach Jean Fernandez said his opponents have improved drastically in recent weeks.
“We are facing a Kharaitiyat side in good shape at the moment. Anwar Diba has developed into the leader. They have two new professionals and I believe they are now complete in attack. We know how Al Kharaitiyat play, and our aim is to score more and beat this rival.”
“Both teams are similar, and are doing well in the league, only small details will decide the game. I don’t think we will be strengthening the side in January, we have a good squad and I will be using the players that I have at my disposal” added the French coach.
Fernandez reflected on his team’s draw against Jaish, noting that the result has put his side in good stead for the game against the Thunders. “The game against El Jaish was good for us, it gave us plenty of confidence. Now matches are different, with the emphasis is on us to win. Al Kharaitiyat’s last match against Al Arabi showed me that they are a strong side, but I feel that we can get a positive result and continue the run we are on.”

Struggling Sailiya face Umm Salal
Doha: The second game of the day will see struggling Al Sailiya take on Umm Salal in the 6:35pm kick-off at Al Ahli stadium. Sailiya are currently in eleventh place in the standings and could be taking on Umm Salal at a good time, especially with Orange Fortress attackers Yannick Sagbo and Mahmoud al-Mawas being absent through suspension.
Ahead of the game, Sailiya assistant coach Amine Farikh said they need to win to improve the moral of the side, following their 4-0 defeat to Al Rayyan in the last match.
“Each game is getting more and more important as the league comes to an end. After the defeat to Al Rayyan we are looking for a much better performance against Umm Salal. We are trying to close the gap on Umm Salal who are two points ahead of us. Only a win can improve our fortunes,”  he said.
Farikh also reveleaed the club is set to make a further two signings in the coming days. “In football many things that can change a result of a game, injuries to two professionals have pushed us to get players. We are currently waiting for the players to get registered and we will make an announcement in due course. I hope they will be ready in time.”
“No, it’s not a risk to buy these players, we have looked at their previous performances with their clubs and know they will fit in at Al Sailiyia. We as a club will continue to prepare them fully until it is appropriate for them to play for the club” added the Tunisian coach when asked about the risk of signing so many players in January.
Farikh stressed that the absence of Umm Salal attackers Sagbo and al-Mawas will make no difference on the outcome of the game. “It doesn’t make a difference, for me we will have the same amount of players on the pitch. It is a consideration that they are both out, but it’s not our main focus heading into the game,” he said.
On the other hand, Umm Salal head into their encounter in sixth place in QSL standings. Mahmoud Jaber’s side drew 1-1 with Al Shahania last time out, and will be targeting a win despite having a number of key player absent for the game.
Egyptian coach Jaber said that most of the QSL is concerned with relegation this season. “All the next games will be tough for us, they are like cup finals for us. Apart from the top five teams, every side is afraid of relegation. Our focus now is to take it game by game and aim to get a positive result.  This is the last game without Yannick Sagbo and Mahmoud Al-Mawas. We have able substitutes who have filled in well and did a good job, this week I have made sure that the whole squad is ready and fully prepared for the match against Al Sailiya” he noted.
“Al Sailiya have signed some new players, but I don’t know if they will play. As a coach, all I have to do is focus on how my team plays. The match will be a tight game overall, our priority is a clean sheet and knowing when to attack at the right moments,” the Egyptian added.