Al Sadd captain Raul Gonzalez (left) celebrates with team-mates Talal Ali Albloushi (centre) and Nadir Belhadj during their Qatar Stars League (QSL) match against Al Sailiyah at Al Rayyan Stadium in this October 23, 2012, file photo. Al Sadd can clinch the QSL title with a win or a draw against Al Kharaitiyat today.
BY RIZWAN REHMAT
DOHA: Football giants Al Sadd, coached by Hussein Amute (pictured), need just a solitary point against Al Kharaitiyat today to dethrone current Qatar Stars League (QSL) champions Lekhwiya.
QSL Points leaders Al Sadd have a tally of 47 from 20 matches while Lekhwiya - coached by Eric Gerets - have 42.
Eljaish are in third spot (40) while Al Rayyan are at fourth spot with a tally of 33.
Only two rounds remain in the current campaign.
If Al Sadd manage that single point, they will not only win the QSL title but also celebrate their first major triumph since their AFC Champions League win in November 2011.
Al Sadd manager Amute presented a calm exterior ahead of today’s key game, saying the team’s will to fight would be exhibited on the pitch at Al Sadd Stadium today.
“Since the beginning of the season we have talked about the importance of the games,” Amute said.
“If you want to be champions then you must take on a lot of opponents. This is a difficult team who we drew against in the first half.
“We will try to win and finish the championship. Even if we don’t do it in this game we have time to do it in the next match,” the Moroccan said.
“Until now we are not happy because we haven’t yet secured the title. We have two games to play so we will not celebrate yet,” Amute said.
“All games have been difficult – even the ones we won by a big gap. This is an important and difficult game. We simply try to make the players focus,” the coach explained.
“We have no reason to lose but it will still not be easy. That means we need to concentrate fully on this match.
“The players aren’t thinking about the Lekhwiya game. All we are doing is thinking about the Al Kharaitiyat match.
“We have the possibility to win the league, yes, but it’s just a normal match where we will look to take three points.
“If you want to win the championship then you have to manage pressure,” he said.
Al Sadd’s influential midfielder Mohammed Kasola, however, is eager to wrap things up today rather than wait for the last day of the season.
“Everyone knows this game is very important for Al Sadd,” Kasola said yesterday. “This game could make the decision of where the league goes. We are going to win and try to be the champions of the season,” he added.
“Every player wants to win trophies as a player. If we can achieve this then it would be the happiest day of my career,” Kasola added.
“I would be very proud to lift the league title with Al Sadd. It would be my second trophy with Al Sadd but it would be the best. It’s very exciting and hopefully we can secure it.”
Standing in the way of Al Sadd are Al Kharaitiyat – the side who brought their unbeaten record to an end earlier in the season.
French coach Bernard Simondi admitted he was excited by the prospect of throwing a spanner in the works of Al Sadd’s title celebrations.
“It seems this game has a special importance. We are now far away from the relegation and top four, yet we are important because this game is decisive,” Simondi said.
“If Sadd win this game they have won the title, which means this game is very special for us.
“In some way, we are the referee of this competition.
“We hold the key on this particular day.
“There is an atmosphere surrounding this game. There will be more adrenaline for everyone,” he said.
“That’s why games like these are very important to play,” the Frenchman added.
The game starts at 6:15pm.
THE PENINSULA
