DOHA: Qatar Stars League (QSL) side Al Arabi are set to begin a fresh chapter under new coach Hassan Shehata when they host Qatar SC in round four action today.
After their third match on September 29, the Al Arabi management sacked coach Pierre Lechantre and replaced him with Shehata, the former Egypt coach.
Today’s assignment will be Shehata’s first in QSL this season.
“The time I have spent with the club (a week) is not enough. I have the required information though. We have had key players missing our matches in QSL,” Shehata said in a press conference yesterday.
“We will make use of whatever information we have on the fit and injured players. Now we will get our players back from national duty,” the 63-year-old Egyptian said.
“The 12 teams in QSL are good. We are working hard at Al Arabi. We are looking to pick up three points. We are looking to restore confidence in our fans also,” he added.
Qatar SC coach Sebastiao Lazaroni said: “We have a big game against Al Arabi. They are a strong side but we know their strengths and weaknesses. We will try to play better than how we did in Qatar Stars Cup matches. I think Al Arabi has quality in their team.”
He added: “We are concentrating on getting three points. We are preparing well for this match.”
In other QSL games today, Al Kharaitiyat take on Umm Salal whereas Lekhwiya, the defending champions, host Al Wakra at Al Gharafa Stadium.
THE PENINSULA
