Al Rayyan players in action during a pre-match training session
Al Rayyan will eye their first win of the season when they meet hosts Al Gharafa today in a clash between two of the top four teams from the previous QNB Stars League season. The Round-2 fixture will kick off at 8:30pm.
Al Rayyan’s Diego Aguirre, who was adjudged the QFA Choch of the Year, said his team will do everything to collect maximum number of points. Al Sailiya held last season’s runners-up Al Rayyan to a creditable 1-1 draw in the first round last week.
“We have to do what we have to do especially since we had a difficult start to the season as a result of losing some players. But we should not say it as an excuse and we should focus only on presenting a strong and good match, because simply we must believe in our strength as a team. We have great players and we have to continue what we did last season,” Aguirre said during a pre-match press conference yesterday.
“We must admit that the Al Gharafa match is difficult, especially since they are one of the best teams. We must remember what happened last season, as Al Rayyan lost just one game and that was against Al Gharafa. Therefore, we must be wary of them,” the Uruguayan tactician stated.
“We must definitely finish the first three weeks of action with maximum number of points. After that, there will be a break. We must utilize the break and see if there are players joining the team during that time,” said Aguirre. His counterpart, Al Gharafa coach Slavisa Jokanovic said his team must continue to progress.
“We are trying to make the team ready to be in good shape through training. There is not much difference between our team and Al Rayyan. We know the importance of this match for both teams,” Jokanovic said.
“It is good that we scored full points against Qatar SC, but we must continue to progress and be ready to do what is necessary.“
“Al Rayyan finished in the second place last season, one point behind Al Duhail. They are a team with good players. I am sure everyone who follows football in Qatar knows Al Rayyan well and we also know them well,” Jokanovic said.
“However, our focus will be on what we see as a source of danger for us and we will also work to take advantage of their weaknesses. For us it was important to start the season by winning over Qatar SC and collecting the three points, but that match has become a thing of the past and we must now focus on the next fixture against Al Rayyan,” the Serbian added.
In other fixtures of the day, Al Sailiya are up against formidable Al Sadd, who beat promoted Al Kharaitiyat by a 5-1 margin. The match will take place at the Education City Stadium (18:15). Al Kharaitiyat and Qatar SC both will desperately look for victory when they face off (18:15, Al Gharafa Stadium).
Tomorrow, champions Al Duhail will take on Al Wakrah (18:15, Education City Stadium). Umm Salal vs Al Khor match will kick off at the Al Ahli Stadium at 18:15. Al Ahli will meet Al Arabi (20:30, Al Ahli Stadium) in the final match of the week.
The Week 1 action witnessed keen contests with two of the six matches ending in draws. A total of 20 goals were scored. The organisers will allow a limited number of spectators at the stadiums as precautionary measures against coronavirus (COVID-19) are in place.
