Lekhwiya player Marcello Tavares (left) and assistant coach Dominique Cuperly are seen. Lekhwiya face Umm Salal tomorrow. PICTURES BY: KAMMUTTY VP
DOHA: Defending champions Lekhwiya take on Umm Salal tomorrow knowing another win would help them close the gap on points leaders Al Sadd in the Qatar Stars League (QSL).
Lekhwiya - who will miss regular coach Eric Gerets because of medical reasons - hammered Al Arabi 3-1 in their last clash on December 1.
The win over Al Arabi was Lekhwiya’s fifth successive positive result after an indifferent start to the season in September when they had just one win in four matches.
Also tomorrow, struggling Al Gharafa will be looking to pick up the pieces against Al Sailiyah at Al Gharafa Stadium.
Al Gharafa - who fired their coach Paulo Silas a week ago - have been struggling for form this season.
The former champions are in 8th spot with just 9 points from as many matches.
Al Sailiyah, on the other hand, haven’t fared any better.
Al Sailiyah have just five points from nine matches and are one slot above Al Arabi, the only team in the table without a win this season.
In the last match tomorrow, Qatar SC will look to supplement their fine 3-2 win over Umm Salal last week when they take on Eljaish.
Eljaish, coached by Ravzan Lucescu, are in 6th spot with just 13 points from 9 matches.
On Saturday, Al Sadd take on Al Kharaitiyat in an away game with one question following the team’s fortunes: Can Al Sadd make it 10 out of 10 this weekend?
Al Sadd - coached by Hussein Amute - have notched up 9 consecutive wins this season to top the QSL table with 27 points.
In second place are Al Rayyan (19), the defending Heir Apparent Cup winners.
Lekhwiya (19) are in third spot, while Qatar SC are in the fourth spot with 14 points.
Last week, Al Sadd battled past Al Gharafa 1-0 for their 9th successive win.
Also on Saturday, Al Rayyan will host Al Arabi. Coached by Diego Aguirre, Al Rayyan will be looking for their fourth successive win this season.
Al Arabi - coached by former Egypt manager, Hassan Shehata - have had a season to forget.
The Doha side is still without a win in the 2012-13 season.
Al Wakra - who started the season with three back-to-back wins will host Al Khor in their tenth QSL match this season.
Al Wakra - who lost to Al Rayyan last week - are in 7th spot with a tally of 12 points.
THE PENINSULA
