Al Duhail will host Al Sadd in a marquee QNB Stars League clash Saturday, with much at stake for the Qatar’s top two clubs. The encounter between the league’s most recent champions is sure to have all ingredients of a thriller, with both teams possessing array of star players in their ranks and are once against strong title contenders.
Duhail are a point behind leaders Al Rayyan, who beat Al Sailiya on Thursday but will go back to top if they can beat their perennial rivals Saturday. Defending champions Sadd are third but have also played two matches less, with their fixtures against Al Arabi and Al Khor deferred due to The Wolves’ AFC Champions League engagements.
The two sides have met three times so far this season – twice in the AFC Champions League and once in the season-opening Sheikh Jassim Cup – with Sadd emerging as winners twice while the other game was drawn.
Despite the success over Duhai, Al Sadd head coach Xavi Hernandez described Duhail match as ‘difficult” and ‘complicated.’ Speaking at the pre-match press conference Friday, Xavi said: “We know that tomorrow’s game will be difficult and complicated. We were better than them in the Champions League and we defeated them in the Sheikh Jassim Cup as well. But Saturday’s game will be for three points, and in a different competition. We know how strong Duhail are and they will be looking to make an impact. They are missing some players but they are still a strong team,” he said.
Sadd are out of the AFC Champions League, with their focus firmly entrenched on the league. “We wanted to reach the Champions League final but this is how football is. Our focus now is on the league. After two games, there will be more strength in the team. We will (also) have a lot of work to do at the Club World Cup, in which we want to give our best,” Xavi said.
Duhail, meanwhile, will seek to repeat their performance in last season’s Amir Cup final, where beat Al Sadd soundly. But with injuries sidelining key players like Assem Madibo and Louis Martin, it will be a difficult task. Coach Rui Faria, however, said his team was ready to take on the reigning champions. “We are ready to face Al Sadd. Everyone is waiting for this clash which, we hope, will be a highly enjoyable game. Certainly, it will be difficult for Al Duhail and Al Sadd. We are facing very strong opponents who have a large number of players of the Qatar senior national team,” the Portuguese manager said.
“There is no doubt that Duhail are a special team with outstanding players. Our target is to get three points. We are playing every match with one target - victory. This game assumes greater significance as Al Sadd are our direct opponents for the title,” added Faria.
In an early kick-off Saturday, Al Khor welcome Al Gharafa. The hosts have bagged only five points so far, so they badly need a string of positive results to move away from the danger zone.
Omar Najhi’s men, who were held goalless by Al Wakrah last week, have just one victory to their credit, while they drew two matches and lost four. Al Khor, however, have one advantage as they have played one game less against reigning champions Al Sadd.
Slavisa Jokanovic-coached Al Gharafa are coming from a 1-2 loss to Al Duhail in their previous match. The Cheetahs have 14 points and a victory is crucial for them to be among the top four.
Al Duhail players train on the eve of their QNB Stars League match against Al Sadd at the Abdullah bin Khalifa stadium.
