Al Arabi’s new coach Hatem al-Moaddeb conceded that his side must improve their position in the QNB Stars League. Arabi, who have won four matches and lost as many to be placed sixth with 12 points, take on Al Ahli Saturday.
Ahli have not fared better too. They beat Al Sailiya 2-0 in the QSL Cup during the international break, but are lying eighth in the league with nine points. Arabi and Ahli are coming off contrasting backgrounds, yet they both badly want points in order to improve their position in the table. Al Arabi had lost 0-3 to Al Gharafa, whereas Al Ahli defeated Al Shahania 2-1 in the previous round.
Al-Moaddeb said: “Our position in the QNB Stars League standings is not worrying, we are sixth. But we must improve our position and these three points are very important for us,”
Al Arabi’s defeat had resulted in the dismissal of their Croatian coach Luka Bonacic. The club then handed over the charge to Under-23 coach al-Moaddeb. 
The Tunisian, who started training the squad on Sunday after a two-day break following their 0-2 loss to Al Kharaitiyat in Round 2 of the QSL Cup, has a tough task on hand. All players, except Ahmed Fathy and Mohammed El Neel, who are doing duty for the Qatar national team, and Iraqi player Ahmed Ibrahim took part in the training sessions that mainly focus on the fitness of players.
Brazilian Mailson de Farias and El Neel lead Al Arabi’s charge. “Al Ahli had beaten Al Shahania in the last round, so we expect them to continue good form. They have the ability to turn things around any time. Al Ahli are a good team and their position always does not reflect their real potential. They have some outstanding players,” al-Moaddeb said.
“Our case is also similar. We need to collect full points. The atmosphere in the team camp is good. The players are disciplined and that reflects on our performance,” he added. 
Al Ahli’s coach Milan Macala’s wards will be keen to keep winning if they are to nurture hopes of finishing in the top bracket. Ahli have players such as Meshaal Abdulla, Mohamed Muntari and Mohsine Moutaouly to lead their challenge. 
“Our preparations went off well and we are ready to face Al Arabi. The team trained Friday with all players except injured striker Mohammed Muntari. The QSL Cup match played during the international break was of great benefit to us. We took full advantage of the opportunity to test some youngsters,” Macala said.
“We are well aware of the fact that the match against Al Arabi will be difficult and we hope to achieve a positive result. I am happy with the challenge. I have good options especially in the attack and players are competing to be in the squad. Now, I have solutions in terms of the players for different positions. I spoke to the team management and things are stable now. I hope we will be at our best and now we focus on the next game. We have analysed their previous game and we are working out ways on how best to deal with them,” said Macala. 
In another match Saturday, Umm Salal will have nothing, but the top-four spot in mind when they host Qatar SC at the Al Gharafa Stadium. Umm Salal are fifth with 13 points, one less than Al Rayyan and three adrift of third-placed Al Sailiya.
On the other hand, Qatar SC, under Argentinian Sergio Batista who replaced Abdulla Mubarak, are ninth with seven points. They are on same number of points as promoted team Al Shahania, but ahead on goal difference.
The Kings need points sooner rather than later to stay clear of the danger zone. They will also be keen to build on their 2-0 victory over Al Kharaitiyat in the last round. Umm Salal, coached by Frenchman Laurent Banide, had lost to reigning champions Al Duhail 0-2 in Week 8 of the QNB Stars League, but only after giving a tough fight.
The Orange Fortress put up a strong performance in the second half. However, they were done in by an early goal. Al Duhail added another goal at the fag end of the game even as Umm Salal looked like equalising any time.
Umm Salal mainly have players like Yannick Sagbo, Mahmoud al-Mawas and Ismail Mahmoud to deliver the goods.
They will miss Abdulaziz al-Yahri, who recently underwent an operation at Qatar’s orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital Aspetar to repair an ankle injury. Qatar SC have Cameroonian star Samuel Eto’o to lead their attack, with good support from Syrian striker Osama Omari and Iraqi forward Hussein Ali.