Al Duhail players during a training session.
Doha: Al Duhail are looking to bounce back from a shock defeat to Umm Salal as they visit Al Ahli Stadium today for their Week 11 clash at the QNB Stars League (QSL).
After suffering the defeat last week – their second this QSL season – the Red Knights fell six points behind Al Sadd, who are leading the standings with 28 points.
Coach Luis Castro said Al Duhail must return to winning ways, adding tight schedule must not be an excuse.
“There is pressure in the league and consecutive matches, but that is not an excuse for us,” the Portuguese told a pre-match press conference.
“Al Duhail have to do well. We, the technical staff, do the technical and psychological work. Against big teams, the players are in full focus, psychologically. League matches are very complicated and we will have no excuses in the upcoming matches,” said Castro.
Captain Almoez Ali said the team is targeting maximum points to keep close pursuit of Al Sadd.
“We have no choice but to win the Al Ahli match in order to be back in contention for the league title after our difference with Al Sadd has been widened to six points,” the star Qatari striker said.
“We made mistakes in the Umm Salal match, which caused us to lose, and now we must do well against Al Ahli and prepare in a way that guarantees us the three points,” he added.
Al Ahli, meanwhile, jumped from 10th to eighth position in the standings with nine points following their 1-0 win over Al Sailiya in the last round.
“The important victory we recorded in the last round against Al Sailiya will motivate us to provide the best against Al Duhail,” said Al Ahli coach Nebojsa Jovovic.
“Al Duhail are a strong team and contenders to win the league this season due to their performance, level and great capabilities, but Al Ahli will remain eager to provide the best and compete for points on the field,” he added.
Al Ahli goalkeeper Yazan Naim said: “Al Duhail are strong team and contenders for the title every season even though they are not at their usual form presently.”
Al Rayyan must regain winning mentality: Blanc
Earlier today, Al Ahli Stadium will host a match between Al Rayyan and Al Shamal. Laurent Blanc-coached Al Rayyan are coming off a 0-1 defeat at the hands of Qatar SC. The Lions are placed 10th with nine points.
“We need to win this match. There is pressure on us due to our defeat against Qatar SC in the last round, during which we lacked discipline and strength,” said Blanc.
“We need to be back on the winning path as soon as possible. I talked about this with the players and everyone agreed with me that we have to do more and more. I repeat that, in all the previous matches, we did not have the full squad. The situation is same now with many injuries. I must say that if you do not have the winning mentality, it is difficult to achieve victory,” he added.
Al Shamal, coached by Moroccan Hicham Jadrane, are ninth in the standings with nine points.
“Al Rayyan match is different from other matches. We will face a star-studded team at the highest level, a traditionally-strong team with rich history,” said Jadrane.
“Al Rayyan are big team looking to redeem themselves this season. We had played against them in the Ooredoo Cup, but the league match will certainly be different against a team that will play with all its stars and with great motivation to achieve victory and register good results,” he added.
Meanwhile, Al Gharafa will host Al Sailiya in today’s third match. Al Gharafa are fourth in the table with 16 points while Al Sailiya are in a desperate situation, occupying 11th place with five points.
QNB Stars League:
Today
4:10pm: Al Shamal vs
Al Rayyan
at Al Ahli Stadium
6:20pm: Al Gharafa vs
Al Sailiya
at Al Gharafa Stadium
6:20pm: Al Ahli vs Al Duhail
at Al Ahli Stadium
Tomorrow
4:10pm: Al Wakrah vs Al Sadd
at Al Arabi Stadium
6:20pm: Al Arabi vs Umm Salal
at Al Arabi Stadium
6:20pm: Al Khor vs Qatar SC
at Qatar SC Stadium
