Doha: Qatar Stars League (QSL) leaders Al Sadd will look to widen the points advantage at the top when they take on Al Gharafa here today at Al Sadd Stadium.
A handful of poor results before the recent break in games saw coach Hussein Amotta’s side lead at the top narrowed down to just two points.
Going into today’s match, Al Sadd have 44 points from 19 matches, while QSL defending champions have two points less from 20 matches.
Amotta knows Al Sadd are lucky to still be top of the league and the remaining will all be crucial.
“This is a very important game for us. All games are important for us because we are the leaders right now,” said Amotta.
“We cannot afford to lose any more points this season. We have made mistakes and I think it’s time to learn.
“We haven’t had many games recently and that’s been difficult for the players to keep their motivation. We are ready for this game. We have the quality to win the three points and I hope we can do it.
“We are lucky that when we dropped points our rivals couldn’t really take advantage of it. But a league is won over a whole season, that’s why you have to expect teams to make mistakes,” he added.
“We are fortunate no-one took advantage of our dropped points so we have to be focused and make sure no more chances are missed, the Al Sadd official said.
Amotta said a league title in Qatar is something which he is looking forward to.
“It would mean everything to me to win this title. It would be nice to have this to my name. I won the title in Morocco, I won the African Champions League in 2010 and I now need this to add to it. I have a history with the club as a former player so it means a lot to me,” he added
Meanwhile, Al Gharafa coach Habib Sadiq said his team has got a big boost to the local QSL campaign after their win over Al Nasr club of UAE in the AFC Champions League.
“For sure our confidence is higher after the Champions League match. The players know what a great result that was for us. But if we can take a victory from this game, to beat a team like Al Sadd will give us even more confidence,” said Sadiq.
“If we’re honest we know it’s going to be difficult. For most of the time we have been focused on the Champions League so most of our attention has been with that tournament.
“We have very little time to recover from that tournament but it’s crucial we re-focus and get ready for this game now,” he added.
Sadiq said both the teams are well balanced.
“I don’t think there is much between the two teams if I am honest. I believe both are quite well matched and it will be a very tough and interesting match. Neither team has anything to fear from the other and I think that will make for an entertaining game,” he said.
The Peninsula
