Runaway points leaders Al Rayyan will seek to extend their dominance at the top of Qatar Stars League (QSL) when Coach Jorge Fossati's side meets defending champions Lekhwiya in round 20.
 
“We have a brand new challenge in round 20 against Lekhwiya. We are looking forward to continue our league campaign. It is going to be a tough match against a team we do respect a lot,” Fossati said on Thursday during the pre-match press conference.
 
“The defeat Lekhwiya suffered in the AFC Champions League (on Tuesday) doesn’t anything to me and doesn’t change our task," Fossati said.
 
"I always urge the players that the next game is the most important one. We respect Lekhwiya as much as we respect all the other teams. We are moving forward step by step,” Fossati said.
 
Al Rayyan's experienced midfielder Fabio Cesar said: “We are getting closer and closer to achieving our objective. The league isn’t settled yet as we have to keep moving forward with more focus. The match is really difficult against a tough team.”
 
Ceasar added: “I have a special status in Al Rayyan and vice versa. I am so happy to be part of this club and play under Fossati. I will be on the level of confidence entrusted in me by everyone."


 
Lekhwiya's assistant coach Bruno said: “The time frame between the previous match and the coming one is limited. When we play two matches within a short period of time, you definitely need more than 11 players, especially for the teams participating in more than one competition that might face some difficulties and issue in this regard.”
 
Commenting on Al Rayyan approaching the QSL title, Bruno said: “Al Rayyan is a big team but the meantime, whether they are crowned with the league title or not, this doesn’t mean much to us. At the beginning of the season, our objective was the QSL title, but now we are seeking after the second position.”
 
On Lekhwiya’s recent performance in the AFC Champions League, Bruno
said: “I don’t believe that we presented poor performance against Zobahan (Iran) according to statistics. We have faced a strong defensive team which closed their areas firmly and relied on counter attacks.”