DOHA: Al Kharaitiyat will meet Al Markhiya while Al Arabi take on Al Ahli in their own backyard as week 16 of the QNB Stars League (QSL) comes to a close today.
Al Kharaitiyat’s new coach Yasser Sebaie said his wards were out to make a strong statement for the second successive week when they clash with Al Markhiya.
“This match is like a final for us. Both teams are badly seeking points to stay away from the relegation zone. The drawn encounter against Al Sailiya last week has given us a big boost. It helped a lot in boosting our players’ confidence and that is reflecting on their training sessions,” coach Sebaie said.
“We had missed five players, yet we could put up a strong display. I am glad to see my players hugely motivated after a series of negative results.
“We hope to get full points from the match against Al Markhiya. However, we will sorely miss ace striker Rachid Tiberkanine and goalkeeper Ahmed Sufiyan for this game, but we will try to make a strong statement.
“In football, what is more important is the performance of 11 players on the field. I intend to make appropriate substitutions in order to make up for their absence.
“All coaches are under pressure and I am no different. I try to overcome that with all my experience. I hope to take the team to safety by the end of this season’s QNB Stars League,” Sebaie said..
The match kicks off at 4.40pm.
Al Kharaitiyat, precariously placed with 10 points, are only two points ahead of bottom side Al Markhiya, so both badly need to collect points to stay safe.
Syrian Sebaie, who took over from Tunisian Ahmad Al Ajlani, saw his wards hold fourth-placed Al Sailiya 2-2 in his first match in charge last week. That The Thunders were without five regular players makes the draw more creditable.
However, against Al Markhiya, they will be without ace Moroccan striker Rachid Tiberkanine, the fifth best scorer in the QSL with 10 goals, and goalkeeper Ahmed Sufiyan.
Al Markhiya, who lost 1-3 to Al Rayyan last week, will miss the services of Bilal Mohammed, Medhat Mustafa and Musaab Mahmoud. Their first-phase match had ended in a goalless draw.
Al Markhiya coach Yousef Adam highlighted the importance of today’s game.
“This is a crucial game for us as it is high time we performed to our full potential and earned some points. Or else, our position will be difficult,” he said.
“Both teams are under pressure and in a similar situation, staring at relegation. I hope my players are ready to wage an important battle and will rise to the occasion by collecting full points against Al Kharaitiyat.
“We badly need a victory to help ourselves stay in good shape. It will do a world of good for our players’ morale. Our performance does not reflect on our results. We deserved to earn more points than what we have.
“I don’t care about the absent players in the rivals’ line-up (referring to Al Kharaitiyat’s ace striker Rachid Tiberkanine and Ahmed Sufiyan). I am focusing on our players. We will miss the services of Bilal Mohammed, Medhat Mustafa and Musaab Mahmoud,” said Yousef.
Meanwhile, Al Arabi (12 points) will have Saad Natiq back from a one-match suspension even as injured Ahmed Fathy will be out of action.
The midfielder is expected to take the field in their Week 17 game against Al Sadd, dubbed the Qatar Derby, on February 17.
The Dream Team will take delight from the fact that goalkeeper Masoud Zeraei is in outstanding form. He had made many saves when they held Umm Salal goalless in Week 15.
Ghanian Kwame Karikari mainly carries their goal-scoring hopes.
Al Ahli (16 points) are coming off a 0-4 defeat to Al Duhail and would be keen to get their campaign back on track.
The Brigadiers will be without centre-back Khaleel Sherif and influential midfielder Yassine Chikhaoui. But new recruit, Tunisian Hamza Younes, and Meshaal Abdullah are experienced strikers who can score against any side.
The teams had played out a 2-2 draw in the first phase.
