Defending champions Al Duhail will be looking to leapfrog third-placed Al Ahli with a positive result when the two teams from top four of the QNB Stars League (QSL) meet this afternoon.
The match will kick off the 11th Round of QSL at the Al Ahli Stadium.
Fourth-placed Al Duhail are 10 points adrift of leaders Al Sadd (28), but they revved up their title hopes with two back-to-back wins in the previous rounds (2-0 against Al Arabi and 6-1 against Al Khor) to enter the top flight.
The Red Knights have recorded six wins while losing four, and are tied with Qatar SC in terms of number of points and goal difference (+8).
On the other hand, Al Ahli, currently placed third in the standings, are just one point above the champions Al Duhail, so a negative result against the Sabri Lamouchi-coached side will make a big impact to their title hopes.
Al Ahli were second in the standings before they were crushed by Al Gharafa 4-1 in the previous round.
Nebojsa Jovovic-coached Al Ahli have six wins for their account so far, have drawn one game and suffered three defeats.
Lamouchi, who took over as Al Duhail's just two months ago, said his intention is to continue their current good form.
"We won in the last match against Al Khor. Al Ahli are coming for tomorrow's match after losing to Al Gharafa, so we have to rely on confidence and focus, as the opponent will not present any gifts to us and we must achieve victory," Lamouchi said yesterday.
"The team has succeeded in winning two matches in a row, and now we are looking to continue achieving victories and looking forward to good performance while working to improve the team’s ranking in the league table," Lamouchi said on the eve of the important clash.
Ahead of the key game, Al Ahli coach Jovovic said that they "need to pause, rethink and then move forward" after learning lessons from last round's defeat against Al Gharafa.
“We suffered a loss of confidence after our game against Qatar SC. We needed to pause, rethink and then move forward as we learned the lessons of defeat," Jovovic said yesterday.
The Montenegrin also emphasised that he is expecting his players to be in full strength when they face the reigning champions.
“It is necessary in football that a player always looks forward and works with all his energy for the best. At the same time, I would tell my players that whoever cannot play with all strength is better for him to stay at home," Jovovic said.
“Our opponent Al Duhail, which is a strong team. This match will also be strong. I respect them a lot, also from the bench strength, and they are the title holders.
“I have trust in the capabilities of my players to provide a distinguished level, a performance that keeps Al Ahli in their current position. I expect the players to present a distinguished level and provide everything they have in the match," Jovovic added.
In other matches today, Al Khor face Al Rayyan at Al Khor Stadium while Al Sailiya and Al Arabi face off at Al Ahli Stadium. Both matches kick off at 6:30pm.
Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com