Tribune News Network
Doha
Al Duhail and Al Rayyan will lock horns in Week 8 of the 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium on Thursday at 7:30 pm.
The clash between two formidable teams that have been strong contenders right from the start of the season is difficult to predict. But, it is certain that it will be full of thrill, excitement and rivalry.
The game for Al Duhail comes before their much-anticipated AFC Champions League clash against Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia on November 7 at the Khalifa International Stadium, and the team wants to determine the readiness of their players and reassure their French coach Christophe Galtier of their full preparation ahead of the marquee meeting.
Al Duhail narrowly overcame Al Shamal in the seventh round 2-1 with goals being scored by Yousef Ayman and Almoez Ali, raising their tally to 13 points with a fourth league win this season. The Red Knights are currently fifth in the standings and only one point behind Al Wakrah (fourth), and the two teams also have a postponed match together from the sixth week.
Al Duhail are very much in contention as they are only three points away from table toppers Al Sadd and second-placed Al Gharafa and therefore The Red Knights would push hard to climb up the ladder and be in sight of the title that they also achieved last season.
Al Duhail coach Christophe Galtier speaking to the media on the eve of the Al Rayyan clash, said, "After our last match against Al Shamal, I decided to give the players a rest to regain their strength, especially since it was a few days after our match against Al Nassr. It was important for them to get some rest before starting preparations for the match with Al Rayyan.
"We went through a number of training sessions and intensified the work, and I believe that the players are ready for this contest.
"There will certainly be pressure on the players, but it will be a positive one. The players have experience in playing such matches. We are happy to face a team that is ahead of us in the standings, as such gamesare exciting and strong.
Galtier, who appeared in the league championship for the first time in the seventh week as the team’s coach, succeeding Hernan Crespo, relies on the attacking trio of Almoez Ali, Michael Olunga and Philppe Coutinho. The coach will hope that the team’s defence is now further strengthened with the return of Ruben Semedo, who missed the last round against Al Rayyan.
On the other hand, Al Rayyan who occupy the third spot in the standings, after the loss they suffered against Al Gharafa in the previous round, have 15 points from five wins and two losses.
The team’s Portuguese coach Leonardo Jardim is counting on the strength of his midfield and attack, led by Abdelaziz Hatem, Thiago Mendes, Roger Guedes, Achraf Bencharki and Rodrigo Moreno.
"We will play against league champions Al Duhail. We will play against a strong team, so we must play with full seriousness, with full concentration, and avoid the mistakes that the team made during the last match against Al Gharafa,” said Jardim.
Al Sadd to meet Muaither
In an earlier match of Thursday, Al Sadd will host Al Markhiya at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium at 5.30pm.
Al Sadd will seek to continue their winning run and to stay in the hunt for the championship title, while Al Markhiya will be looking to improve their position in the table.
Al Sadd are on top of the standings and, along with Al Gharafa, have 16 points. Al Sadd have notched up five wins and a draw with also a postponed match remaining against Al Arabi from Week 6.
In contrast, Al Markhiya are 12th and in the last place of the standings with three points to their credit as the team suffered six defeats and achieved one victory over Al Shamal in the sixth week.
Al Sadd coach Bruno Miguel said ahead of the meeting: "A difficult match awaits us. Al Markhiya are a very organized team in defence. We will need to find solutions to pass the ball and create opportunities.
"We work in a big club like Al Sadd, so we need to win all matches. There is no room for draws or defeats. We need to be at the top and this is where we will definitely be,” he added.
Al Markhiya coach Madjid Bougherra hoped for a better result for his side. "Everyone realizes that Al Sadd are on top of the standings and have high-quality players. I hope we will do something good. We have to trust the players and we play every match as a final,” he said.
Muaither to face Umm Salal
Muaither will face Umm Salal at the Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium at 5.30pm. It’s a clash which brings together two teams looking to bounce back, both having lost their previous rounds. Muaither are in 10th spot in the rankings with four points, while Umm Salal are in seventh place with eight points on goal difference, behind Qatar SC (sixth).