Qatar- Lekhwiya looking for comeback win

Date

3/1/2016 1:13:30 AM

(MENAFN- The Peninsula)

Doha: Lekhwiya Sports Club will be looking to dust themselves off following a 5-0 loss against runaway leaders Al Rayyan and will be looking to impress when they face Umm Salal in the Qatar Stars League match of the week for round 21 next Sunday.

Djamel Belmadi’s side has a packed calendar in March with AFC Champions League commitments and the Algerian tactician will have to make the most of his squad when they take on a solid Umm Salal outfit.

On the other hand Umm Salal will have to recover from their titanic 4-4 draw with Al Gharafa.

Head coach Bulent Uygun will be pleased with the fighting qualities of his side who left it to the 82nd minute to seal a famous comeback. More frustrating for the Turkish tactician will be that his side let a two goal lead slip. The away side will be looking for an improvement from stopper Baba Malick if they are looking for a repeat of their tight 1-0 victory over Lekhwiya back in November. Salal should also welcome back prolific striker Yannick Sagbo who has been missing through injury.

However winter signing Mounir El Hamdaoui grabbed a hat-trick last time out and could keep the big Ivorian out of the side. As for Lekhwiya they have endured two defeats in a row in the AFC Champions League and QSL.

Djamel Belmadi’s side has had a real trouble in front of goal in the last few matches and they will be counting on Youssef Msakni and Alain Dioko to be back to their goal scoring best.

Lekhwiya had never lost to Umm Salal in the league prior to November’s bad tempered affair which saw defender Ahmed Yasser sent off. The Red Knights will be eager to readdress the balance on Sunday evening whilst maintaining their top 4 place. If everything goes according to plans a tight tactical battle could be on the cards next Sunday when Lekhwiya take on Umm Salal at Lekhwiya Stadium at 8.15pm.

Meanwhile Al Gharafa has begun preparations in earnest ahead of next week’s round 21 clash against Al Sadd. The match will be played on March 7 at Al Sadd stadium with the kick off at 7.30pm.

Head coach Pedro Caixinia refused his squad a day of rest following their unexpected 4-4 draw with Umm Salal in round 20 of the Qatar Stars League. The team underwent light training drills under the watchful eye of the Portuguese tactician. Most of the squad took part in training on Sunday evening except the injured defensive trio of Bilal Mohammed Mahdi Ali and Ibrahim Al-Ghanim. The trio underwent individual training drills as they recover from long-term injuries.

Gharafa are currently in eighth place in the QSL standings.The Peninsula

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