Relegation rivals face off in the spotlight match

Saturday evening will see two relegation rivals faceoff when Al Wakrah welcome Muaither to Wakrah stadium in the QSL spotlight match of round 18 on Saturday evening. Both sides are currently mired in the QSL relegation zone, and know that a victory will effectively be a six pointer against their rivals and aid their survival chances no end.

Al Wakrah come into the tie after a titanic 3-3 draw with Lekhwiya last time out. The Blue Waves raced into a three goal lead against the four time QSL champions, but where eventually pegged back thanks to a late comeback from Lekhwiya. Wakrah coach Kais Yâakoubi, will certainly be frustrated at how his side capitulated, but can draw plenty of posatives on how his side came out fighting in the first half.

Whilst for Muaither, they were on the wrong end of a 6-1 defeat at the hands of Al Sadd, and French coach Phillipe Birol will be certainly looking for a big reaction from his team. Last time when the teams played each other, Muaither ended up 1-0 winners giving the newly promoted side their first win of the season. Birol will be targeting a repeat performance from his side.

Al Wakrah are in desperate need of goals to strengthen their survival bid, and Yâakoubi will be hoping that January signing Prince Ibara can continue his goal scoring form. Ibara grabbed his sides opening goal against Lekhwiya with a crisp volley in what was his first goal for his new side. The DR Congo striker will be eager to aid his new side in their bid to beat the drop.

Muaither on the other hand will be targeting a clean sheet, and the possibility of taking Al Wakrah on the break. Brazilian defender Bruno Aguiar was a colossus at the back in the win over Al Wakrah at the start of the season, and Birol will be hoping for another big performance from the former Joinville defender.  With Alain Dioko leaving the side, it seems that Aguiar could be on penalty duty which could be crucial for the Stallions.

In certainly promises to be a high stakes game at the foot of the QSL standings when Al Wakrah takes on Muaither in the QSL spotlight match for round 18. You can pick up tickets for the match here.