Battle for second place heating upJesualdo Ferreira's Al Sadd will be hoping to finish the 2015-16 campaign on a high by securing the second spot in the Qatar Stars League (QSL) standings but for that to happen, the Doha giants must beat El Jaish in the final round later this week.
Al Sadd, who have posted three wins against one draw in their last four matches, take on El Jaish - one of the most consistent sides in QSL - with aims of finishing the season behind champions Al Rayyan. Second-placed El Jaish, coached by Sabri Lamouchi, have 47 points from 25 matches whereas Al Sadd - who finished second last season - are in third spot with a tally of 46 points.
A draw won't help Al Sadd but El Jaish know they must not lose on April 15th at Qatar Sports Club Stadium.
Last week, Al Sadd fought back to claim a creditable draw against runaway champions Al Rayyan (62 points) coached by shrewd tactician Jorge Fossati. Trailing by two goals by the 71st minute, Al Sadd hit back in the final moments of the tie through goals from Hassan Al Haydos and Mohammed Kasola to share the spoils in round 25. Last week's fighting 2-2 draw followed after Al Sadd beat Al Kharaitiyat 1-0, downed Lekhwiya 3-2 and edged past Al Sailiyah 3-2 to pick up key points in the final few weeks of the season.
Coach Ferreira replaced Hussein Amotta at the end of November following an unimpressive start of the season. The Portuguese tactician will be hoping his players can deliver the goods against a very strong El Jaish side.
Since joining the QSL in the 2011-12 season, El Jaish have never finished outside the top four in the last six years, prompting many pundits to predict 'QSL Falcon Shield' glory in the coming years. El Jaish grabbed the second spot in 2012 in what was their maiden appearance in QSL, followed by a third-place finish in 2013. The following year in 2014, El Jaish went one better to claim the second spot behind Lekhwiya but slipped to third in 2015.
With just one round to go, El Jaish knows a second-place finish beckons even if Lamouchi's side finishes with a draw at Qatar SC stadium on April the 15th.
With the top-placed Al Rayyan facing off with the fourth-placed Lekhwiya in the first semi-final in the Qatar Cup, the focus shifts to who will finished second in QSL. So the battle for second place will give the side ‘home’ advantage when Al Sadd and El Jaish face each other in the second Qatar Cup semi-final.
Al Sadd will be hoping their midfield dynamo Xavi, U-23 star Abdulkareem Hassan, reliable striker Hassan Haydoos and veteran winger Nadir Belhadj come to the party for the final push on April 15. The quartet has been ever present in Jesaldo Ferreira's plans this season, and will need to be on fine form going into this must-win game.
El Jaish striker Abderrazak Hamdallah- who scored two goals in a hard-fought 2-1 win over Umm Salal last week, clearly holds the key for Lamouchi's men in the final round this year. Hamdallah is currently joint top goal scorer in the QSL with 20 goals this season, he will be certainly looking to add to his haul and be awarded with the top goal scorer award at the QFA awards.
It promises to be a fascinating encounter between two of Qatar’s best footballing sides when El Jaish entertain Al Sadd on Friday the 15th of April at Qatar SC stadium, KO 18:15.
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