Qatar- Struggling Al Wakrah face tough task against Lekhwiya


(MENAFN- The Peninsula) A file picture of action from Qatar Stars League (QSL) match of Round 18 between Al Sailiya and Al Wakrah. Relegation threatened Al Wakrah face former champions Lekhwiya on Friday evening at Al Wakrah Stadium at 6.15pm.

Doha: With Al Rayyan already crowned as Qatar Stars League (QSL) champions for this year the focus will now shift to the race for the Qatar Cup and the battle to avoid the drop in round 24 of the league.

Relegation threatened Al Wakrah know that a victory will all but confirm their QSL status for another year when they face former champions Lekhwiya on Friday evening at Al Wakrah stadium at 6.15pm. Whilst Djamel Belmadi’s side knows that a win will confirm their place in the Qatar cup for this season.

So plenty will be on the line in this match up. Last time they met Lekhwiya emphatically beat Wakrah 6-2 with South Korean attacker Nam-Tae Hee grabbing a hat-trick for the Red Knights.

El Jaish will be looking to build on their victory over Al Rayyan when they face up against relegation threatened Qatar SC. The Kings currently occupy the second relegation zone and need a result in this match is desperately needed if Sebastio Lazaroni’s side are to beat the drop to the Qatar Gas League.

Last time out Qatar SC defeated El Jaish in the first leg a Mousa Allaq goal was enough for all three points for the Kings. They will be hoping for the same on Friday evening at Lekhwiya stadium. The kick-off is set for 6.15pm.

The final match on Friday will see QSL champions Al Rayyan take on Al Gharafa in a match between two of Qatar’s best attacking sides. Al Rayyan will be looking to get back to winning ways after succumbing to only their second defeat of the season to El Jaish. Whilst Gharafa will be looking to build on the attractive brand of football they have been playing under new coach Pedro Caixinia. Back in the first half of the season Rayyan ran out 2-0 winners thanks to Rodrigo Tabata and Nathan the Cheetah’s will have revenge on their mind.

Saturday’s QSL action kicks off when Al Sailiya will take on Al Sadd at Al Ahli stadium KO at 18:15. Impressive Sailiya ran out 2-1 winners back in the first half of the season and head coach Sami Trabelsi will be expecting more of the same from his side. Whilst Al Sadd will be looking to register their third win in a row and confirm their Qatar Cup status for this season.

At the same time Al Arabi will face off with top 4 rivals Umm Salal in the QSL match of the week. Al Arabi has endured a inconsistent season and will be looking to keep their slim Qatar cup chances alive with a victory over Umm Salal.

Last time out the side shared the points in a 1-1 draw and Gianfranco Zola will be keen to avoid the same fate on Saturday evening.

Meisameer and Al Ahli bring Saturday’s action to a close; Yuseff Adam has rallied Al Ahli and recent weeks and will be looking to build on his sides derby win in round 24.

Whilst Meisameer’s focus will be firmly on the Qatar Gas League after confirming relegation a few weeks ago last time out the sides shared a 2-2 and Rodion Gancian will be hoping the Flames can rasie themselves for this game.

Sunday’s only QSL tie will see Al Kharitiyat in a relegation six pointer at Al Khor stadium.

Both teams have very real chances of ending up in the Qatar Gas League come the end of the season and need points in the last three games to guarantee safety. Back in December both teams shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw.

With relegation on the line both sides will be pushing hard for a vital win in the race for QSL survival.The Peninsula


The Peninsula

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