Brigadiers take on table topping Soldiers in spotlight match

The QSL spotlight match for round nine will see an improving Al Ahli side take on top of the table El Jaish on Friday evening at Al Ahli stadium.

Al Ahli has yet to register a win since former head coach Yusef Adam returned to the club at the start of the season. Although from the first four games of Adam’s tenure the Qatari coach has overseen two defeats and most recently, two draws against Umm Salal and Al Sailiya respectively.

With the Brigadiers comfortably in seventh place in the QSL standings Adam will be looking to inflict El Jaish’s first defeat of the domestic season. Al Ahli will be relying on veteran Iranian international Mojtaba Jabbari to be at his combative best in the midfield against Jaish. Jabbari enjoyed a blistering start to the season, but missed a few weeks through injury after returning to fitness Adam will be hoping for a big performance from the Tehran born midfielder.

Likewise, summer signing N'Guessan Yessoh has showed the kind of form that convinced Al Ahi to spend big on the Ivorian striker. Yessoh now has two goals in two games after a patchy start; the 24 year old striker is a real physical presence and has plenty of pace. His battle with Jaish center back Lucas Mendes will be one to watch out for.

As for the visitors El Jaish, they have been nothing short of perfect so far in the QSL. Sabri Lamouchi’s boys have only dropped points on one occasion, winning the remainder of their games. The soldiers have opened up a four point gap at the top of the table and will be eager to push on their advantage, in what will be the first of a seven game stretch in December.

Lamouchi will be hoping for another typically assured performance from Captain Abdurahman Abker. The Qatar internatiaonal defender has been enjoying a good run in recent weeks, and has played a part in seven of Jaish’s league games so far. Abker will be charged with keeping the lively Al Ahli frontline of Meshal and Mubele quiet.

Winger Sardor Rashidov stepped up for Jaish last time scoring the only goal of the match against a resilient Al Kharaitiyat defence. The young Uzbekistan internatiaonal will need to put in another inspired performance in attack, when facing a Al Ahli side who boast plenty of experience in defense.

Friday’s spotlight match is certainly delicately poised and will see an improving Al Ahli side take on top of the table El Jaish at Al Ahli stadium. You can pick up tickets for the match here.