It will be match not to be missed in the eighth round of QNB Stars League when two high-flying teams this season, Al Ahli and Al Gharafa, clash at Al Ahli Stadium today.
The kick-off is at 7:45pm.
Al Ahli, who led the points table until they were beaten by title-favourites Al Sadd in the fifth round, are currently placed second behind Xavi Hernandez’s men. The loss against the Wolves is their only one this season and now they have accumulated 16 points, three less than leaders Al Sadd.
Al Ahli barely stayed away from the relegation zone last season, but this time they are going great guns, having already notched up same number of wins as they did in the entire 2019-20 season.
Ahead of the key clash which will decide who will occupy the second spot in the standings, Al Ahli coach Nebojsa Jovovic yesterday said his team’s goal is to “maintain the position”.
“Al Gharafa are a great team that has quality players and a great coach, but we are ready to achieve our goal on the field. We will do everything we can to get a win,”Jovovic said. yesterday.
“We respect Al Gharafa a lot being a strong team and they can compete for the league title. We are aware of that. But we have confidence in the capabilities of our players and their physical energy on the field.
“We will give all what we have to achieve our desired result. As I always say, we will do everything available to us on the field for the best result, so we maintain our position in the league standings,” Jovovic said.
Meanwhile, his counterpart, Slavisa Jokanovic is aware of Al Ahli’s threat, but said he is confident in succeeding against the hosts in what he calls a “match with six points”.
“It can be considered a match with six points, where a lot can happen and therefore we see it as an important match. We are working to find the ideal way to achieve victory and my confidence is great in the players who have shown great desire to succeed in this campaign,” Jokanovic said yesterday.
Al Gharafa have collected 15 points from five wins and they have lost two matches. The Cheetahs have a goal difference of +7 (18 goals for and 11 against), the second-best in the tournament so far, after leaders Al Sadd (+21).
In other matches today, Umm Salal will take on Al Kharaitiyat at Al Ahli stadium in the early kick-off (5.30pm). Elsewhere, Qatar SC will play against Al Khor at Al Duhail Stadium (7.45pm).
