Al Rayyan head coach Jorge Fossati is hoping to have Sergio Garcia back for the crunch derby match against Al Arabi on Saturday (kick-off 7:15 PM at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium).
The Spaniard has nine goals this season and has been part of a superb forward line which includes Rodrigo Tabata and Sebastian Soria.




Influential captain Tabata, who is also Rayyan’s top goal scorer, will definitely miss the weekend game after suffering a hamstring injury last time out, so Fossati is relying on the return of Garcia.

“At the moment it’s touch and go,” said Fossati, when quizzed on Garcia’s injury. “He has been recovering gradually and we will make a decision on his participation just before the game. We missed him against Al Khor last week but I’m confident we have the squad to cover his absence if necessary.”

Rayyan currently have a 15-point lead at the top of the QSL and look almost certain to claim a first Falcon Shield since 1995. However, despite a huge advantage in the title race, Fossati is refusing to take the league for granted.
“Al Arabi is a very important game – as every match is at this stage in the season. We are just taking things one game at a time – it’s something that has worked very well for us season. The title hasn’t been won yet and the fans need to get behind us in every game between now and the end of the season.”

Fossati is also expecting a completely different game to the one earlier in the season when Rayyan thrashed Arabi 5-2.

“We won well in the first game but I’m not expecting the same result. I think it will be a totally different game as Arabi have made some formation changes and added some new players. We will respect Arabi in the same way we respect every team in the QSL.”
Rayyan midfielder Victor Caceres said his side would be able to cope without talismanic number ten Tabata.
“Everyone knows his value to the team,” said Caceres when asked about Tabata. “We wish he could play but whoever comes in will be capable of performing well.”
Arabi on the other hand appear to be hitting form at just the right time. Two wins in a row – against Al Gharafa and Lekhwiya – have pushed the Dream Team up to fourth place and head coach Gianfranco Zola is calling on the Arabi fans to help his side remain in the Qatar Cup positions.



Zola said: “I’m pleased with the improvement we have shown in recent matches. We are trying to play as a team and it is showing.

“I know the fans are eager for us to win every game and I am happy with their support and positive interaction with the players. We need to keep up the good form against Al Rayyan, who are having a great season.”

Ahmed Fatehi will be missing for Arabi against Rayyan – and Zola is hoping the midfielder will recover quickly in order to support his side’s top four push.

“Fatehi has been impressive recently. He will be a big loss against Rayyan, but we have demonstrated good ability to fill in for injured players in recent matches.”

Zola went on to praise Rayyan, who have won 18 out of 19 matches in the QSL this season.
“What marks Al Rayyan out is their fighting spirit – which is something we witnessed during our first game this season. They were also a goal down to Lekhwiya but fought back to win. They have great spirit.”