QSL’s match of the week will see two rivals for the top 4 face off in what promises to be a must win clash for Al Arabi & Umm Salal. Both sides now have faint chances of getting into the Qatar Cup, and know that a victory over their rivals will effectively put the other side out of the race for the end of season tournament.

Al Arabi has endured a inconsistent season under Italian coach Gianfranco Zola. Early on in the season a top four place looked on the cards for The Dream Team, however a bad run of results towards the tail end of the season have effectively ruined Arabi’s chances of a Qatar Cup place for this season.

Arabi have only grabbed four points from a possible fifteen in the last five QSL games. With a draw against Al Kharitiyat and a moral sapping loss to local rivals Al Ahli will be seen as major source of frustration for Gianfranco Zola’s side.  


Despite this the side will go into the Umm Salal clash in good spirits following a hard week of training during the international break. Ahmed Fatehi is the only absence for the side through suspension. Whilst international stars Ashkan Dejagah & Boualem Khoukhi are set to join up with the side at the end of the week following international duty.

Arabi will be looking to captain Paulinho for inspiration in this must win match. He has scored in his last three QSL games, with the Brazilian attacker grabbing a fine consolation goal for his side in the 3-1 defeat by Al Arabi, Zola will be hoping that the former Torino striker can add to his current tally of twelve goals for the season.



As for Umm Salal they will be quietly happy with their fifth place position in the QSL table. However head coach Bulent Uygen will be disappointed of a higher placed position, especially when Umm Salal have drawn eleven times this season- more than any other QSL side.

Draws against the likes of Al Sadd & Lekhwiya are impressive scalps, the Orange Fortress really should be getting all three points against the likes of Al Wakrah, Al Khor and Qatar SC whom they shared points with earlier in the season if they are to push harder for a top 4 place.

In team news Bulent Uygen will have a full squad at his disposal with only Mohammed Al-Malki & Nasser Khalfan out due to long term injury. Star midfielder Sanzhar Tursunov is set to return to training at the end of the week, following international duty with Uzbekistan.

Indeed Tursunov has been a key player for the side since joining in January from Ukrainian side Vorskla Poltava. The diminutive winger has been a real threat on the right wing this season for Umm Salal, and will be hoping to add to his impressive assist that set up Yannick Sagbo for the winner against Al Wakrah last-time out.

It promises to be a tight, tactical battle when Al Arabi take on Umm Salal in the QSL match of the week on Saturday the 2^nd of April at Al Arabi stadium, KO 18:15pm.