Tribune News Network
Doha
Al Gharafa and Muaither will square up against each other in Week 6 of the 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League at the Thani Bin Jassim Stadium on Friday at 7.30pm.
The match is expected to bring a lot of excitement and competition, especially since both teams are very eager to give off their best and obtain the three points by winning regardless of their position in the ranking table.
Fifth-placed Al Gharafa enter the match with 10 points, the same as Al Duhail, who are fourth in the table on better goal difference. Al Gharafa achieved these points from three wins, one draw and a loss.
On the other hand, Muaither are in eighth place with four points (one victory, a draw and three defeats).
Al Gharafa coach Pedro Martins said, “Our team is working well with the same spirit and I know that our last match against Al Sadd was abnormal, but I am sure that our players will react and we will appear in our usual form. This is what I expect from our players who are working well and we do not have many problems. I am waiting for the return of Homam (Al Ameen), Ahmed Alaaeldin and Yousef from the national team.
“Regarding the injuries in the team, we still have Mustafa Essam, Nasser Al Anzi. The rest of the players are in good condition and Farid has returned from injury.”
Al Gharafa will miss Brazilian defender Lyanco Vojnovic after he was suspended for two matches during their 0-4 loss to Al Sadd in Week 5. But The Cheetahs have top-quality players, most notably Yacine Brahimi, Yohan Boli, Ferjani Sassi, Farid Boulaya and Othman Al Yahri.
Muaither will seek to achieve their second victory this season, relying mainly on the brilliant Congolese striker Guy Mbenza, who has scored five goals so far in the league this season, Mohammed Salah El Neel, Abdelghani Munir and Mamadou Sekou Traore.
Muaither coach Jose Murcia said, “A difficult match awaits us against Al Gharafa, who have a good coach and distinguished players. And they are performing well in the league championship and we take that into account.
“But we will make every effort to get back on the right path, especially after we suffered a loss in the last round against Al Ahli in the league.”
Al Markhiya to
meet Al Shamal
Al Markhiya will face Al Shamal in the opening match in Week 6 of the Expo Stars League at the Grand Hamad Stadium on Friday at 5.30pm. It is a crucial match for both teams and a win will help them gain the valuable three points and a much-needed rise in stature.
Al Markhiya are currently at the bottom of the table without a point having suffered five successive defeats, which also prompted them to replace their coach Anthony Hudson with Algerian Madjid Bougherra.
Al Markhiya have managed to score only three goals so far, having the weakest attack in the competition so far, while conceding 13 goals.
Al Shamal are placed ninth in the table with three points gained from as many draws. They suffered two defeats and are yet to log a win so far. The team has scored 9 goals and conceded 12.
Both teams hope that the match will be a big opportunity for them to achieve their first victory of the season. The contest is therefore expected to be closely fought with a lot of excitement and rivalry.
