Old rivals set for titanic Saturday evening match

The QSL match of the week for round eight will involve two old rivals facing off in Al Arabi and Al Sadd. Both sides head into the tie off the back of negative results in round seven and will be eager to secure all three points to push up in the QSL standings.

Al Arabi’s poor early season form continued as the Dream Team fell to their fourth consecutive defeat of the season, losing 4-2 to Al Gharafa. New head coach Edison Aguirre was unable to inspire his side to victory, with Al Arabi falling into the relegation zone for the first time this season.

One positive for Aguirre will be the upturn in form of Captain Boualem Khoukhi. The Qatar international was pushed into midfield for the Al Gharafa tie, and duly bagged a brace for his side including a goal which is an early goal of the season contender. Khoukhi will have to continue his goal scoring ways if Al Arabi are to get a result to pull them out of the drop zone.




As for the visitors Al Sadd, they dropped points with a 1-1 draw against bottom of the table Al Wakrah in what was a frustrating afternoon for head coach Jesaldo Ferriera. The Wolves looked took an hour to break down a resolute Wakrah backline, eventually taking the lead thanks to a close range strike from Jugurtha Hamroun. However in stoppage time Sadd gave away a penalty, which was duly converted by Mouhcine Moutouali.

With fellow title rivals Al Rayyan and Lekhwiya dropping points, Al Sadd missed a golden chance to cut down the lead of league leaders El Jaish. The Wolves will now turn their attentions to an Al Arabi side how have not enjoyed the best start to the league.

Al Sadd will be hoping that tricky winger Hassan Haydoos will be fit to start the match. The Qatar international captain was a second half substitute last time out and his introduction lead to his sides opening goal of the match.  Haydoos has scored three goals this season, and will be eager to add to his tally against a Arabi side that has currenly conceded the most goals of any side in the QSL.

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​The Saturday evening clash at Al Arabi stadium will certainly be one to savour when relegation threated Al Arabi take on title chasing Al Sadd in the QSL match of the week for round eight. You can pick up tickets for the match here.