Al Ahli midfielder Mojtaba Jabbari is one of the key midfielders for his team but is also considered one of the top players in the Qatar Stars League. He is a player with lots of quality and manages to give consistent performances week in, week out.Some have said that the Brigadiers haven’t done as well this season compared to last year’s campaign. Many have said this is due to changes in the team, the most prominent of which was the transfer of the team’s top goal scorer, Alain Dioko to Al Gharafa.
Mojtaba spoke with QSL Online and gave his thoughts about the many changes to his team and about how he thinks his beloved Brigadiers are doing this year?
At the outset of the interview Mojtaba spoke about the evolution of the league and his take on it.
“It is very tough and difficult this season due to the good preparations and readiness of most of the teams. A lot of clubs are aiming at the top four positions in the league. However there is also plenty of excitement and intrigue in the relegation zone too.”
Mojtaba also pointed out that all Al Ahli games this season will be tough as it is difficult to tell from one week to the next who can be defeated and who can’t.
He said: “We are doing our best to demonstrate satisfactory performances in all matches, with the aim, of course to win as much as possible.”
Al Ahli played seven matches in the Qatar Stars League so far with a draw in Round 1 versus El Jaish, defeating Al Wakrah in Round 2, losing to Al Gharafa in Round 3, losing again to Al Sadd in Round 4, then drawing with Al Kharaitiyat in Round 5 and then getting their second win over Qatar Sports Club in Round 6. Last weekend they also continued their winning streak with their third win over Al Khor in Round 7.
Mojtaba also commented on the tough competition in the league and he attributed this to the high quality players at most of the clubs. He said, “There are some really distinguished players in the league this season, the clubs have bought wisely.”
Last season Al Ahli finished 5th in the Qatar Stars League, this year the Brigadier will be hoping to go one further and in so doing, qualify for the Qatar Cup.
Commenting on Al Ahli’s ambition this season, he said, “Everyone in Al Ahli is focusing on the top positions. We are aiming at finishing the Qatar Stars League in one of the top positions in order to participate in the Qatar Cup and perhaps more.”
Mojtaba added that Al Ahli this season is better with regards to defending, “During the previous season, we used to concede lots of goals, but this season, there is a huge focus by all the players to avoid this. If we are able to maintain the balance in the team so as to not concede too often and also being able to score against our opponents then there will be no doubt that we will go far in the league this season.”
Asked about whether the team is missing the clinical edge and goal scoring prowess of the Congolese striker Alain Dioko, Jabari added, “There is no doubt that we miss such an excellent striker such as Dioko, who is hard to replace. But on the other hand, I do admire the technical abilities of Mobili whom I believe has done well so far this season. He just needs more time to gel with the rest of the team. He is a very good player who also does a lot of defensive work too.”
“Dioko also needed sometime when he first joined Al Ahli in order to reach his peak and become the QSL’s top goal-scorer.”
Commenting on who he thinks will win the league this season, “We have noticed that the competition during the previous seasons was between Al Sadd and Lekhwiya, but I believe this season things will be different with the extraordinary performance by Al Rayyan who has really brought the league to life this year.”
Mojtaba also spoke about his contract with Al Ahli and said: “I have a valid contract till the end of the current season. I am happy and satisfied in Al Ahli and the good performance of my team. Since I have joined Al Ahli two years ago, I have been doing my best to follow the coach’s instructions. But as I mentioned we are looking forward for more improvement especially when there are strong games awaiting us.”
Al Ahli will play against Al Sailiya in Round 8 of the Qatar Stars League next Saturday.
Al Ahli is currently in 6th position with 11 points following their recent win over Al Khor in Round 7.
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