Al Duhail face Al Shamal in perhaps the most decisive match in Week 22 (final round) of the 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League at the Al Duhail Stadium today. The kick-off is at 19:00.Al Duhail are looking to win the coveted league shield for the eighth time in their history and after a gap of two seasons. The Red Knights, under the tutelage of Hernan Crespo, need to win the game.Al Duhail are leading the table with 48 points, two more than second-placed Al Arabi.On the other hand, Al Shamal are placed ninth with 18 points. They had played out a 1-1 draw with Umm Salal in Week 21.They are in struggle, along with Umm Salal (17 points), Al Rayyan (17 points) and Al Sailiya (16 points), to avoid relegation and Play-Off match.Al Duhail would have emerged as champions had they beaten Al Sadd in the last round, when they were beaten 3-1 by the reigning champions. And Al Arabi won their game against Al Gharafa (3-0) to keep alive their title hopes to be on 46 points. Al Sadd are on 44 points. Thus, the title race boiled down to the final round matches.Al Shamal match is our last chance to win league: Al Duhail coach CrespoAl Duhail coach Hernan Crespo spoke to the media ahead of their 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League Week 22 match against Al Shamal."The Al Shamal match is our last chance to win the league title,” Crespo said yesterday. "So far, we are still on top of the standings and we must complete our work by winning the league title, and there is an opportunity for that and we must take advantage of it, and we must trust ourselves."The team includes players with distinguished levels and depends on the spirit of the group, and there are players with distinguished levels such as Nam Tae-Hee, Edmilson and Almoez Ali, and there are young players who succeeded in appearing well, such as Yousef Ayman and Mohamed Al Nuaimi."Pressures are part of my practical life, whether when I was a player or after I went to training, and when you are in a club like Al Duhail that is always looking forward to winning championships, the pressure becomes positive,” said Crespo.Al Duhail captain Almoez Ali said yesterday: "The team is ready for the Al Shamal match, and as the coach described it, it is the last chance for us to win the league, and we want to win our third title this season (Ooredoo Cup and Qatar Cup being the other triumphs) and show good performance and a great show. "We know very well the importance of this match, and that it will not be easy, as we are facing a team that will play in order to escape relegation, and will certainly do everything in their power to survive. "We will play it in order to win the league title and any mistake can deprive us of the title,”Almoez Ali added.Ready for Al Sadd, our goal is to win and make our fans happy: Al Arabi coach YounesAl Arabi coach Younes Ali spoke to the media ahead of their 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League Week 22 match against Al Sadd. "A big match awaits us against Al Sadd at the end of the league, as this confrontation enjoys a lot of excitement and challenge, not because it is crucial for the league title, but because the two teams will meet again in the Amir Cup final,” Ali said."Al Arabi and Al Sadd matches are always characterised by strength, excitement and competition, so it will not be an easy match, especially in such difficult circumstances for the two teams,” Ali added. "We do not want to put the players under pressure,” he added. "We will go into the Al Sadd match to win three points. Our fans have a great influence on the matches and their presence is important, especially with the end of the season. We can achieve a lot with their presence and support,” Ali said.Al Arabi player Abdullah Al Muraisi said yesterday: "Everyone understands the importance of our next match and we must be confident to achieve our goal in the match, especially as it will be a strong rehearsal for the Amir Cup final.”
May 08, 2023 | 01:02 AM