Al Duhail coach Sabri Lamouchi during a training session.
Reigning champions Al Duhail will be looking to consolidate their position in the top four in QNB Stars League (QSL) standings when they take on Al Sailiya today in a Round 8 clash of the season.
The high-octane clash will kick off at 5.30pm at the Al Duhail Stadium.
Al Duhail, who have started a new chapter with coach Sabri Lamouchi, are currently fourth with 12 points after winning four matches and suffering three defeats in the seven matches.
Al Duhail are just one point above fifth-placed Al Rayyan and not losing points against Al Sailiya today will be crucial for their title bid this season.
Coach Lamouchi yesterday said that it is important to win the Round 8 match despite missing out on two key players Bassam Al Rawi and Assim Madibo who also appear for Qatar national team.
“It is important for us to win against Al Sailiya to get the second victory in a row after we beat Al Kharaitiyat last week. There is still the absence of Bassam Al Rawi and Assim Madibo despite their return to the team. The two have not yet reached the match readiness. If the team stays focused in the next match, God willing, we will achieve victory,” Lamouchi said during a press conference yesterday.
“There is no doubt that facing Al Sailiya is as important as other matches in the league. We will take this match seriously and fight with full force without considering the position of the opposing team. Yes, we will work hard to achieve victory and look organised,” Lamouchi, 49, said.
Lamouchi’s counterpart Al Sailiya coach Sami Trabelsi feels his men are capable of defeating Al Duhail which is beginning to regain familiar momentum under the new French tactician.
“Al Duhail have quality players, both national and overseas. They certainly have the ingredients for the big occasions,” Trabelsi told media yesterday.
“Al Duhail’s performance has improved a lot under coach Sabri Lamouchi, who is trying to take the team back to its previous level of dominance and therefore we must be ready. Our focus has to be 100 per cent so that we do not drop points,”
Al Sailiya are placed eighth after losing to Al Wakrah 1-3 in the previous round, their third defeat in the League this season. They have collected eight points so far. They have registered two wins with as many draws.
“We are still trying to return to the top position in the League. I see that our results are not that bad, but there are mistakes and we must correct them and not repeat them. I feel Al Sailiya are capable of winning over Al Duhail,” a confident Trabelsi said.
While Al Duhail miss Qatari internationals Al Rawi and Madibo, Trabelsi said that his team will be without Mohammed Mudathir, Serigne Mbodji and Ahmed Hammoudan.
A win against Al Duhail will increase Al Sailiya’s chances of reaching the top four, but it will not be an easy task against ambitious Al Duhail who are pushing for another title tilt.
