Doha [Qatar], April 8: Defending champions Al Sadd and first-time title hopefuls Al Shamal on Wednesday will engage with teams that are eager to get out of the relegation zone as the Qatar Stars League moves into a tight finish with penultimate Week 21 of the 12-team competition.
Al Sadd will meet eleventh-placed Al Sailiya while Al Shamal will play bottom-placed Al Shahania in a simultaneous 6.30pm kick-off for all six games today.
The 18-time champions Al Sadd, on 39 points, have two matches left in the league. Al Shamal, who are in sight of clinching the prestigious Falcon Shield for the first time in the club's history, have 37 points but more importantly they also have an extra postponed game on hand.
Interestingly, Al Sadd and Al Shamal will come face-to-face in their final tie of this QSL season on April 28 - and which could well may turn out to be the eventual decider.
But before that, another blip from Al Sadd, who were held to 1-1 draw by Al Rayyan in the previous round and had lost two matches prior to that, could get them into deeper trouble.
On Friday, Al Sadd's Italian coach Roberto Mancini was livid at the end of the Qatar Clasico against Al Rayyan as his side allowed the rivals to steal a draw in stoppage time of play. The coach was more upset about Al Sadd letting go some good chances to double their lead.
Mancini is however hopeful that Al Sadd would still be able to pull things off. "We are coming off a draw against Al Rayyan but things are going well because we have worked hard over the past two days, and we will strive with all our might to achieve victory and secure the three points," he said ahead of the clash with Al Sailiya.
Al Sadd player Anas Abdulsalam said, "It is important to win the Al Sailiya match but they are a good team. We must win the two remaining league matches to retain the title and we are capable of doing so."
Al Sailiya however wouldn't want to give anything away and their coach Mirghani Al Zain stressed that his team still has a chance to move away from the relegation zone.
"I have great confidence in all team members, the entire squad is ready to deliver and everyone understands the magnitude of responsibility at this crucial stage," said Mirghani.
Al Shamal coach David Prats meanwhile said that his team will give their everything to win and stay in contention for the title.
"We will be facing a team that is striving to move away from the relegation zone. Al Shahania are a good team and we have the utmost respect for them, especially since they have talented players with the ambition to win. However, Al Shamal will be playing to win and secure the three points in order to continue our winning streak and maintain the impressive run this season," said Prats.
Al Shahania's assistant coach Pejman Montazeri said, "Unfortunately, we are at the end of the season and in last place. We played very well in the last match and I am proud of the players, but we did not get any points.
"We have a very difficult match against a team competing for the league title. I think the players understand the situation; we need the points and I believe the team is ready to fight. We will see what happens," he added.
Al Gharafa with 34 points are third in the table and would also be hoping to climb the ladder if the top two fall.
Excitement is guaranteed as the first of the last two simultaneous QSL kick-offs light up the evening.
Doha Bank Stars League
Round 21 Fixtures
(All matches kick-off at 6.30pm)
At 974 Stadium: Al Wakrah vs Al Gharafa
At Al Bayt Stadium: Al Sailiya vs Al Sadd
At Al Thumama Stadium: Al Arabi vs Qatar SC
At Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium: Al Shahania vs Al Shamal
At Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium: Al Rayyan vs Umm Salal
At Khalifa International Stadium: Al Ahli vs Al Duhail.
Source: Qatar Tribune
