Umm Salal midfielder looking to end the season on a high

Umm Salal player Dheyab Al-Annabi has insisted that his side is capable of chasing down fifth placed Al Gharafa to end their domestic season on a high. Umm Salal is currently in sixth place and just seven points behind Gharafa in the QSL standings. To add extra spice to proceedings, Umm Salal take on Al Gharafa once the QSL resumes after the three week international break. The dynamic midfielder spoke to QSL online to reflect on the Orange Fortress’s season to date, and their ambitions from the final three games of the 2016/2017 QSL season.

Opening up the interview, Al-Annabi conceded the race for the Qatar Cup places are now over, giving his side a new focus. “I feel that the top four places are now settled looking at the league standings, now Umm Salal has to look at finishing in the highest possible position in the league, and that has to be the fifth place.”

“The season has been tough for everyone, especially with the league being reduced to 12 teams, that has put pressure on all sides, from the ones fighting for the title or trying to avoid relegation. That being said, I am pleased with how my own team has performed this season” added the Qatari player.

Al-Annabi also gave his opinions on which sides will lift the QSL title and drop down to the Qatar Gas League. “I think it will be tough for Al Wakrah to beat the drop, as for the title it is just between Lekhwiya and Al Sadd. It will be an interesting battle going into the last games of the season.”

“The stoppage time comes at a good time for Umm Salal, we are looking to get our team fit and ready for our final three games, which will be a real challenge against Al Gharafa and Al Arabi” explained the midfielder when asked about the three week break in QSL action.

Al Annabi concluded the interviews wishing the Qatar National team luck in their upcoming matches. “I hope that the Maroons do well in their next three games against Azerbaijan, Iran and Uzbekistan everyone in Qatar is hoping that they can hopefully qualify for 2018 World Cup in Russia.”