(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Round three of the QNB
Stars League season kicks off on Thursday evening when Al Markhiya
takes on Al Sailiya at Al Arabi stadium. Both sides lost out in round
two and will be eager to get back to winning ways ahead of the two week
international break.
Yusef Adam's Markhiya narrowly lost 1-0 to
fellow promoted side Qatar SC, and will be hunting their first points of
the season. Ghanaian striker Kwame Karikari was the side's most
dangerous player in the second half and the target man will be hoping he
can influence the tie in favour of the Oryxes.
As for Al Sailiya,
they will have to pick themselves up after their 3-2 loss to Al Sadd.
Sami Trabelsi's men will feel hard done by after a late equaliser was
denied by a correct offside call. The Peregrines will be aiming for
their second win of the season, and will be hoping Mohamed Muddather can
register his first goals of the season. Muddather was a constant danger
for his team last campaign, and will be seeing the match against
Markhiya as the ideal match to open his account for the side this year.
Friday
will see three QNB Stars League games take place, with all six sides
involved looking to head into the international break on a high.
Two
unbeaten sides will face off when Al Rayyan take on Al Duhail to Al
Sadd stadium in the match of the week for round two. Both sides have
registered back-to-back wins in the campaign and something may give in
this match-up between two of the strongest sides in the league.
Al
Rayyan have made light work of both Al Khor and Al Kharaitiyat in their
previous games scoring seven goals and conceding just three. Michael
Laudrup has drilled his side well in preseason, and will be hoping for
another big performance to further underline their title ambitions.
Encounters between these two teams are often defined by the finest
margins, and Rayyan defender Gonzalo Viera will have to be at full
concentration if they are to get the win.
Whilst for Al Duhail, they
are heading into their first away match of the season following
victories over Qatar SC and Al Arabi. Djamel Belmadi's side will
certainly have to show more balance than their free flowing attacking
displays in recent weeks. Qatar international midfielder Karim Boudiaf
is likely to be placed in a defensive midfield role for the match, and
his contributions will be important if the Red Knights are to maintain
their 100 percent record.
Al Sadd will be looking to continue
winning ways against Al Gharafa in the late match at Al Sadd stadium.
Jesualdo Ferreira's side will again be targeting to stay in touch with
the pacesetters in the league. Hassan al-Haydos missed a penalty against
Al Sailiya last time out, and the Qatar international will be looking
to register his first goal of the new campaign.
Al Gharafa have been
unspectacular yet solid so far this season, with their youthful side
playing well under Jean Fernandez. This match against Sadd will be a
real test of their capabilities. Experienced keeper Qasem Burhan has
pulled off a host of good saves in his opening matches of the season,
and the former Qatar international will have to be in form if the
Cheetahs are to come away with a shock win.
Friday's QNB Stars
League action is rounded off by Al Kharaitiyat, who are chasing their
first points of the season taking on Al Khor. The Thunders will be
hopeful of upsetting their local rivals and Uzbeki midfielder Sanzhar
Tursunov will be vital if Kharaitiyat have any chance of picking up the
points.
Khor picked up their first win of the season in controversial
style thanks to a late Madson winner. Laurent Banide will now be aiming
to pick up back-to-back wins and push up the standings. Iranian
midfielder Soroush Rafiei was the knights standout player against Al
Ahli last weekend and will have to preform again if Khor are to defeat
their local rivals.
On Saturday, winless Al Arabi take on Qatar SC in
the early kick-off. After two comprehensive defeats to open the season,
pressure is certainly building on Arabi boss Kais Yâakoubi. As for
Qatar SC, they will be in high spirits following their win over Markhiya
in round two.
Al Ahli play their first home match of the season
against an inform Umm Salal side. After one point from their opening two
games, the Brigadiers will be targeting a maiden win for the season.
Umm Salal have made another solid star to the league campaign and are
realistically targeting three points to boost their top four ambitions. (QNB Stars League)
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