Al Rayyan wary of Mesaimeer threat

Qatar football giants Al Rayyan won’t be treating Second Division side Mesaimeer as pushovers when they meet in the Round 16 clash of the Amir Cup at Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium today.

“We will be at full strength and there will be no major changes to the side when we take on Mesaimeer. There is no time for experiments and we cannot afford them,” Al Rayyan coach Diego Aguirre said yesterday.

The Amir Cup is the most popular football competition in the country and features QNB Stars League (QSL) and Second Division teams.

Minnows Mesaimeer made it to the round of 16 after defeating Al Shamal 1-0 in the play-off match.

Al Rayyan, which had mixed results in the QSL and lost to Iran’s Esteghlal 5-0 in the AFC Champions League play-off match, are to keen to lay their hands on their first silverware this season and Aguirre said they have set their eyes firmly on a spot in the final.

“We have set ourselves a target in the Amir Cup - we want to reach the final,” said the 54-year-old while speaking to journalists.

The Uruguayan, however, cautioned that they will not brush off Mesaimeer’s challenge in a haste and will accord them due respect.

“No, we will not be fielding our junior players or making a lot of changes in the squad for the match. We respect our opponents, we will not take chances,” Aguirre said in response to a question as to whether fans will see a lot of changes in the team line-up against Mesaimeer.

When journalists asked Aguirre about the inconsistent display of his team in the season - brilliant at times and scrappy on other occasions - the coach said: “I have no answer to that.” 

On Saturday, Al Rayyan brought an end to their recent losing streak in their Round 14 clash with league leaders Al Duhail, allowing them to retain their second-place position in the standings.

Yohan Boli’s 64th minute goal was enough for Al Rayyan to claim all three points on offer, leaving them just one point ahead of third-place Al Sadd.

Aguirre’s side, which has lost just one match in the QSL competition, is in second place behind leaders Al Duhail at the end of the 14 round matches in the 12-team league played on a double leg basis.

Just one point separates the two with Al Duhail on 33 points and Al Rayyan on 31 points.

Mesaimeer, on the other hand, are looking forward to taking on Al Rayyan and have kicked off their preparations three days back.

“We do not have the technical and tactical resources which Al Rayyan have in their ranks but we will try to make it up with tons of determination and eagerness to register a win against Al Rayyan,” coach Raad Abullatif said.

“If you go back in the history of the Amir Cup we defeated Al Rayyan 3-2, when they were also in Second Division of QSL. So we have history on our side,” added Raad.

Mesaimeer coach warned they will not lower the guard against mighty Al Rayyan.

“Physically we will be up to challenge them and we do not rule out a surprise (result). Maybe we will be able produce a few surprises on the way and reach the final,” he added.

In the other match today, Al Sailiya, which also lost the AFC Champions League play-off match to Iran’s Shahr Khodro FC 5-4 on penalties, will take on Umm Salal at the Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium at 4.30pm.

Tomorrow, last year’s runners up Al Sadd take on Al Kharaitiyat at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium(4:30pm kick off) while on the same day, defending champions Al Duhail meet Muaither at the same venue at 7:00pm. 

On February 7. Al Shahaniya clash with Al Wakrah at Grand Hamad Stadium at 4:30pm and in the second match, Al Ahli will square up to Qatar SC at the same venue at 7:00pm.

On February 8, Al Arabi meet Al Khor at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium at 4:30pm, followed by the Al Gharafa and Al Markhiya match at 7:00pm.