Doha: Favourites and points leaders Al Sadd today take on in-form Qatar SC in their QNB Stars League Round 11 match at the Qatar SC Stadium. The kick off, considered as the biggest encounter of the day, is set for 6:30pm.
High-flying Al Sadd, coached by Barca legend Xavi Hernandez, will eye nothing less than three points when they take on the hosts, coached by ex-Qatar international Younis Ali, but the contest is expected to be a thriller.
Both teams are in great form and Xavi is aware of what is to expect against Qatar SC who have won five matches in a row.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference yesterday, Xavi admitted that today's encounter won't be easy for Al Sadd.
“In my opinion, we are playing against the team in the best form in the competition, because they won five games in a row, with their new player Belaili making the difference. They also have other good foreigner players – Berrahma, Galvez, Karimi and Okpotu," Xavi said.
However, the Spaniard said that Al Sadd are brimming with confidence and is expecting a high-octane clash.
"So they have confidence, but we also have confidence. I think we can expect a top match. They have shown a good level, and a good performance but we are also in a good condition. I expect a high-level game.
Al Sadd widened the gap at the top to seven points following their victory over Al Rayyan in the blockbuster Qatar Clasico last week. It was the ninth win in this season's QSL for Al Sadd. The Wolves are the only unbeaten side so far in the league, having drawn their other fixture.
Xavi Hernandez
Xavi said that despite missing the services of one of his key men Akram Afif due to COVID-19, Al Sadd will target full points.
“We need the three points. The problem is that we already lost Akram Afif, as he got the coronavirus. It’s a problem for us because he’s one of the best players in our squad, so we will miss him,” Xavi said.
“But it’s okay, and we are ready to compete, even without Akram Afif in the team,” Xavi said.
"We will miss him a lot; he’s one of the best players in the squad. He’s been making the difference for the team and in my opinion, he’s the best Qatari player in the country. So we will miss him a lot, but thanks to God, we have a big squad and many players to replace him. Hopefully, he can recover well and be in the team as soon as possible,” Xavi said.
“We are in the top position, we are performing well and we are really happy but it doesn’t finish here. We have to keep going, and now we have defeat Qatar, one of the best teams in the competition.
“It (the campaign) is not over, we play this game and after that there’s the last stage. We haven’t won anything. We have to keep going," Xavi said.
Xavi's opposite number Ali knows that they have a tough task but said his team's ambition is to return to the position that Qatar SC deserve.
“We have a tough task on hand because Al Sadd are League leaders and the best team in Asia, and includes many star players - Qataris and foreigners,"Ali said yesterday.
“This match will be difficult also because Al Sadd are a technically stable team and have the ability to impose their style excellently over their competitors. They present themselves in the best possible way in every match, but the task is not impossible and we hope that we too will appear well. Our preparations went off well," Ali said.
“The wonderful thing is that our team has become a well-oiled machine on the field, thanks to everyone's efforts. The level of the team now prompts us to pursue enthusiasm, drive and focus, as we have great ambition in the club to return to the position that Qatar SC deserve. We also have a strategy to provide opportunities for young players.
“There is no doubt that the recent victories have fuelled our ambitions to provide our best in the next match, which is the most important and our focus is on it now," Ali added.
In other matches today, Al Gharafa take on Umm Salal at Al Duhail Stadium(4:00pm) while Al Wakrah meet Al Kharaitiyat later at the same venue (6:30pm).
Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com