DOHA: Al Duhail coach Rui Faria said he was disappointed that his side dropped points against former champions Al Rayyan after the two played out a 1-1 draw in round three of the QNB Stars League.
Faria said that his team created a lot of chances in their key clash against Al Rayyan on Sunday and ‘deserved a better result than the draw’, but the former champions themselves could only muster one goal.
Ahmed Yasser took Al Duhail ahead in the 66th minute, a lead neutralised by new recruit Franck Kom for Al Rayyan in the 76th minute at Al Janoub Stadium.
Al Duhail took their points tally to five and Al Rayyan three. Both teams thus maintained their unbeaten record.
In earlier rounds, Al Duhail had beaten Qatar SC 2-1 and drawn 1-1 with Al Arabi, while Al Rayyan had drawn 2-2 with Umm Salal and goalless with Al Gharafa.
The Portuguese coach pointed out that the goal scored by Kom with a great shot was impossible to counter.
Multiplie champions Al Rayyan were without the services of veteran striker Sebastian Soria because of an injury. Al Duhail were dominant in first-half play with 65 per cent possession (67 percent in favour of Al Duhail at final whistle), but they could not convert the opportunities.
When asked about Iraqi striker Muhannad Ali’s contribution, Faria explained that the player is working hard in training and offers what is required of him. “He is trying to reach the required efficiency, but he is still new with the team and trying to provide the best work ethic,” the Al Duhail coach said.
Asked if he could go back in time and retain star striker Youssef El Arabi and Japan’s Shuya Nakatima, Faria replied: “The past cannot be changed but in the future we can work to be better.”
He pointed out that he is working continuously and all members of the technical staff until the team’s situation improves for the better.
“This season has stronger competition and most teams in the league are stronger compared to previous seasons,” Faria said.
“This makes competition difficult for all teams. This helps the Qatari player to develop, which is also beneficial to the Qatari football. This will also benefit Qatar in the 2022 World Cup,” Faria said.
Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com