Sparks are bound to fly when Al Kharaitiyat face Al Wakrah for a place in next season’s QNB Stars League today at the Al Ahli Stadium. The match will kick off at 18:20.
The play-off is between the 11th-placed team in the QNB Stars League and Second Division runners-up. Al Kharaitiyat were assured of the 11th spot following their 3-2 victory over Qatar SC in Week 21, while Al Wakrah finished second behind Al Shahania in the Second Division whose champions directly qualify for the QNB Stars League.
Al Kharaitiyat finished their league engagements with 16 points after losing heavily to Al Sadd 1-9 in the last round.
If the play-off tie ends in a draw after regular time, an extra time of 30 minutes (divided into two halves) will be allowed. If the deadlock still continues, it will be decided in
tie-breaker.
Al Kharaitiyat, coached by Syrian Yasser Sebaei who replaced Tunisian Ahmed al-Ajlani in the second phase of QNB Stars League, rely mainly on the prowess of  their top scorer Rachid Tiberkanine, Anwar Diba and Uzbek Sanjar Tursunov.
Al Wakrah, coached by Spaniard Marquez Lopez, depend heavily on their three professional players —Anthony Passy, Yousva Mbengi and Frances Ibarra. Their Kuwaiti midfielder Sultan Al Anzi played for Al Khor last season.
It may be recalled that Al Shahania got relegated to the Second Division last season after losing the play-off to Qatar SC by a lone goal.
Kharaitiyat coach Sebaei said: “We didn’t deserve to be involved in the play-off match as we should have been in the safe zone. When I said Al Wakrah is an open book, I meant that I have studied and observed their team. Al Wakrah, of course, is a big name in Qatar football with long history. We do respect them as differences fade away in such crucial games.”
Sebaei said his was ready for the match. “Our team is ready for almost one month ever since we qualified for play-off even though we endured a big loss to Al Sadd in the QNB Stars League’s final week. Al Wakrah’s frontline is strong with quality professional players, while their defence is not up to the mark. It will be do-or-die match.
“I do not want to put pressure on the players. Our playing system and discipline should lead us to victory. We have two key players missing the match (Mehdi Lekhmassi and Abdelaziz al-Ansari) due to injuries,” added Sebaei.
Meanwhile, Wakrah coach Marquez Lopez  said his team is in good shape ahead of a do-or-die encounter. “The play-off match against Al Kharaitiyat is very crucial and decisive. We had good preparations for the game in all aspects. We had enough time to prepare the team as we practised some tactical manoeuvres for the match.
“Al Kharaitiyat are said by many to be the favourites to win the game, but that doesn’t concern us at all. We will play to win. It is quite normal when one team has better chances, the rivals have nothing to lose. I have prepared my team to win,” Lopez said.
He was Kharaitiyat’s threat and called them a big team. “I’m aware of the importance of the game. Al Wakra are a big team that has many achievements. I am also aware of the potential of Al Kharaitiyat players and their way of playing. Nevertheless, I have confidence in my players. We are working hard along with the club management to achieve our ambition. Al Kharaitiyat are a team that has lost many matches in the QNB Stars League. That’s why they’re in this situation. I want my players to enjoy the game and win it,” said Lopez.