Al Rayyan’s talismanic Captain hopes that his side can take their AFC Champions League form into their match of the week encounter against Al Gharafa on Friday evening. The Qatar international spoke with QSL online in an exclusive interview to give his thoughts on the match.

Opening up the conversation the 36 year old midfielder expressed his delight over the 2-1 win over the AGL side. “We played well as a team against Al Wahda, we fought from the very start and I hope that we continue this mentality to win when we take on Al Gharafa in our next game and get all three points.  Al Rayyan has had some good results in the league in recent weeks and when you have a good performance you just want to keep going and going on this winning form.”

“This season Al Gharafa has not been consistent in the league, but we also had a bad start to the season also. Matches between Al Gharafa and Al Rayyan are always special for the fans, and Al Gharafa has shown at times how good they are this season. Gharafa have some good players and Al Rayyan respect what they are doing in the league.  As ever, when we got onto the pitch we are looking to get all three points” noted Rayyan’s number ten ahead of the Friday evening match at Al Sadd stadium.



Al Rayyan has yet to taste defeat in 2017, and are currently six points away from the top of the table. With rivals Lekhwiya and Al Sadd dropping points this season, Tabata believes his side has a chance of reclaiming the QSL falcon shield. “We have a chance to win the league, we are close and now game by game we will take it I will not be looking at the results of Al Sadd and Lekhwiya. Right now my focus is on Al Gharafa game and god willing we shall win.”

Tabata ended the interview insisting that even though he is coming towards the end of his career he is happy to commit his future to the Lions. “I have a year left on my contract, I am preforming well according to my statistics and often I am the highest in the team in terms of sprinting and running.  As long as I feel comfortable playing and the club want me, I will stay with Al Rayyan.”

Can Tabata inspire Al Rayyan to yet another win in the league? You can pick up tickets for the match here.