Al Rayyan’s skipper Rodrigo Tabata celebrates after scoring a goal against Al Kharaitiyat in this September 1 file photo.
DOHA: Al Rayyan and Al Gharafa will be looking to earn full points to improve their standings in the QNB Stars League (QSL) which will resume on Friday after a week’s break.
Al Rayyan, one of the strong title contenders are on 5th position with 8 points, will be desperate for victory when fourth-placed Al Arabi host ‘The Lions’ on Friday.
High-scoring Al Sadd (10 points) are leading the standings on basis of a better goal difference over defending champions Al Duhail (10 points). Al Sailiya are on third position with 9 points.
Another crunch match of the week will be played between star-studded Al Gharafa and Umm Salal, with both sides targeting maximum points. The match will be played on September 15 at Al Gharafa Stadium.
Al Gharafa are sixth in the standings with seven points and Umm Salal are close behind them on four points. Al Gharafa started off the 2018-19 season on a losing note after suffering a 1-3 defeat to Qatar SC. But they recovered to beat Al Sailiya (2-1) and Al Ahli (4-0). In between, The Cheetahs held formidable Al Sadd to a 1-1 draw.
Umm Salal have only one victory (4-1 over Al Ahli) to their credit. They succeeded in holding Al Rayyan to a 1-1 draw, but lost to Al Sailiya (1-2) and Al Arabi (1-5).
Both sides are under the tutelage of French coaches since the start of this season.
Christian Gourcuff replaced Turk Bulent Uygun at Al Gharafa, while Laurent Banide came to Umm Salal in place of ex-Moroccan international Talal El Karkouri, who had also played for The Orange Fortress.
In the QSL Cup first round played during the international break last week, Al Gharafa were held 1-1 by Qatar SC, while Umm Salal defeated Al Arabi 1-0. They had mixed luck in Week 4 of the QNB Stars League. While Al Gharafa had it easy over Al Ahli (4-0), Umm Salal lost big-time to Al Arabi (1-5).
It may be recalled that Al Gharafa had pipped Umm Salal to the fifth position last season in the last round and, thus qualified for the Qatar Cup. Al Sadd will meet Al Khor while Al Duhail will take on Al Sailiya on September 16.
