Al Sadd's players in action during a pre-match training session yesterday.
Doha: Unbeaten Al Sadd are looking to extend gap at the top of the QNB Stars League Standings when they host Al Gharafa in their Round 9 encounter today.
The match kicks off at 5.30pm.
The eagerly-awaited clash between Al Sadd and Al Gharafa, the top-two teams in the standings, is the marquee encounter of the week. Top-placed Al Sadd (22) are four points clear of second-placed Al Gharafa who have accumulated 18 points.
Both teams are in great form, Al Sadd defeating Al Wakrah 4-1 and Al Gharafa blanking Al Ahli 4-0 to swap positions with the Wolves’ coach Xavi Hernandez expecting a tough game today.
“It will be a strong and difficult match considering that Al Sadd and Al Gharafa are the best in the League, which means it will be like a final and both teams need the three points. Both sides want to maintain their level,” Xavi said during a pre-match press conference yesterday.
This will be Al Sadd’s last match before the Amir Cup final against Al Arabi which will be played on December 18, so a positive outcome in today’s match will be a morale-boosting factor for Xavi’s men.
“I’ll only tell the players to focus first on facing Al Gharafa (and not focus on the Amir Cup final on December 18). In my view, it is very important to win the league title because we finished last season in third place even though we deserved better. Now we are playing excellent football and we have enough time to think about the Amir Cup final, but not at this moment. I would say we have another final against Al Gharafa. We must be at the top of our game and be 100% ready to win and collect points,” said Xavi.
Xavi’s opposite number, Al Gharafa coach Slavisa Jokanovic is aware of the strength of the former champions who possess a number of players who also represent the country at international level.
“This will be a difficult march because we are playing a side that has many national team players. It is considered as the best team in the league with solid players for every level they compete in. Their players have been appearing together for a long time,” Jokanovic said during a press conference yesterday.
However, the Serbian said his team will be ready for the challenge.
“From our side, the preparations have gone well. I hope we remain in a good competitive mood. We will see what happens next. You know every match carries a different story. We will try to take advantage of the position that we are in at the moment,” the former Fulham FC manager added.
In another games today, title holders Al Duhail take on Al Arabi with eye on a spot among the top four. Al Duhail who have slipped to the 6th position in the standings, will be keen to make up for the lost ground.
Al Sailiya and Qatar SC meet in the third fixture of the day.
