Al Arabi will take on Al Ahli in a derby match on Saturday evening. The Dream Team have shown some early season form, and currently sit in fourth place in the QSL standings. Uruguayan head coach Gerardo Pelusso gave his thoughts on the big game at the pre match press conference.

Opening up the press conference Pelusso admitted this tie will be a tough test for his side. “This game is important in the story of the season. Both teams are in the same position, and it will be a balanced game. It will be a tough match as both sides are looking to get into the top four places.”

The tie is a derby clash between local rivals, however the Uraguyan head coach was eager to stress that it’s just another game. “For me personally, each game is very important not just the derby game. We are going well in the league, but we can improve and this will be clear against Al Ahli.”

 “Al Ahli started the league well against Al Gharafa. When they drew against Wakrah last week they still played very well. They have good attackers in Firmin Muble and Meshall Abdullah who work well as a team, but we are ready for them” explained the Uraguyan tactian when asked about his opponents.

Concluding the press conference Pelusso stressed that his side can only improve over the course of the season. “Mistakes happened in the last two games. We want to win every game, and we have been working to improve this in training. The return of Paulinho and Luis Jimenez will give us a boost going into this game, and motivate the squad to do well.”
 


As for Al Ahli, they came from a goal behind to register a point against Al Wakrah, head coach Luka Bonačić is eager to make up those lost points against their rivals Al Arabi. “Against Al Wakrah we didn’t play to our full potential and should have had the win. That makes the next game important; we go to Al Arabi to win. We have the quality in the squad to get all three points.”

The Croatian tactitain also underlined that his side is treating the derby as any other QSL game. “In this league every game is big for Al Ahli. The derby is just another game for this side. The good news is that our side is fully fit going into the game.”

Focusing on the weekends opponents, Bonačić believes that Al Arabi have weaknesses that Ahli can exploit. “Al Arabi has good players and is good going forward, but are suspect in defense. This is what we have been concentrating on in training this week.”

“Mubele and Meshal have plenty of speed in attack, and have started the season well. I’m optimistic and have faith in my players and I am not scared of the next game against Al Arabi” explained Bonačić when asked about the form of his squad going into the derby game.