Al Kharaitiyat players in action during a training session yesterday.
Doha: Table toppers Al Kharaitiyat will look to keep their perfect start to this season’s QSL Cup intact when they host struggling Al Wakrah in the fifth round today. The match kicks off at 7:30pm at the Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium.
Al Kharaitiyat, coached by Moroccan Rachid Tiberkanine, are currently leading the 20-team contest, having won all three of their matches without conceding any goals, collecting nine points. They also have an impressive +11 goal difference in front of their name. Al Rayyan are the only other team with a perfect record, but they are placed second on goal difference. Al Arabi, Umm Salal and Al Khor follow closely on seven points each, while Al Sailiya sit sixth with six points. Al Waab, Muaither, Al Shahania and Mesaimeer are tightly packed on four points, keeping the mid-table battle wide open.
Al Kharaitiyat enter the pitch today with high confidence following a dominant 4-0 win over Al Duhail in the previous round as the second-division side look to prove their strength against top-tier opposition Al Wakrah.
“Our team aims to maintain its winning momentum and advance deep into the tournament after a series of successive victories that have taken us to the top of the standings. The players have shown great commitment by doubling their efforts and applying the technical staff’s instructions with precision,” Al Kharaitiyat club said in a statement yesterday.
Al Wakrah, on the other hand, are placed 19th in the table and are desperate for points. They enter the match after a 2-3 defeat to Mesaimeer, their third consecutive loss. Also today, Al Gharafa will take on Al Sailiya at the Grand Hamad Stadium with the kick off set for 7:30pm with the aim of securing their first victory in the tournament.
Al Gharafa currently stand in 17th overall, with just one point thanks to a draw with Al Sadd in the opening round. Their opponents meanwhile, have made a respectable start and occupy the sixth spot with 6 points. However, Al Gharafa will be looking to get back to winning ways and solidify their chances of reaching the second round.
In the opening match of the day, Al Bidda will take on Muaither at 5:30pm at the Al Khor Stadium in another crucial battle between Second Division clubs.
