(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Defending champions Lekhwiya are hoping to maintain close pursuit with leaders Al Sadd as they take on Qatar Sports Club today in Round 14 of the Qatar Stars League (QSL) at the Seham Bin Hamad Stadium.
Having secured 30 points from their last 13 matches, Lekhwiya are trailing Al Sadd by three points and a win today will ensure a tight battle between the two top QSL side to topple points table.
Lekhwiya Assistant Coach Albert Hernandez said his team will try to dominate Qatar SC in the vital game.
"We are playing a lot of games in a short amount of time; yesterday we just had a recovery training session and today will be a more intense session," Hernandez said at the pre-match press conference.
"In the next game we must move the ball as fast as we can, and try to dominate possession. We have to win this game if we hope to keep pace with Al Sadd."
"Overall I think we are strong, in the beginning of the season we started strong but I can see that we need to work to continue and make sure they keep up this high level. Last season compared to this one, I would say we have done even better."
"There are a few doubts for the game but hopefully by the end of today we can decide who will be on the bench and who will start."
Meanwhile, in other matches today, Al Khor will take on Al Arabi, Umm Salal will face Al Gharafa while Al Wakra will lock horns with El Jaish who are expecting a tough match from their 'unpredictable' side.
"The last game was difficult, and this game against Al Wakra will be too," said El Jaish head coach Nabil Maaloul.
"Al Wakra showed against Gharafa that they can be dangerous. They are very unpredictable at the moment and this makes it hard to know what they will do. For us we are happy to see Rizk and Munatri back in the squad as they have recovered from their injuries."
"The QSL yes is very exciting and we have seen some interesting results this season, El Jaish drew against Kharaitiyat, Wakra beat Gharafa.
"However I think generally the level of quality needs to be improved because the big teams are also trying to win the Asian Champions League."
"I am happy to see some of the new players scoring goals but I feel I need a big contribution of goals from the team as a whole," he said.
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