Ahli targeting strong finish to QSL season

Seventh placed Al Ahli is next side under the spotlight as we look at the progress of the teams in the QSL during the international break. The Brigadiers started the campaign with Croatian coach Luka Bonačić who enjoyed a solid start with the side, including an eye catching 4-2 win over Al Gharafa in the opening day of the season. Fast forward four games later and Bonačić was dismissed from his post after losing only his second game with a 3-1 defeat to Al Khor. Ahli turned to experienced Qatari coach Yusef Adam to lead the side.

It certainly took time for Adam to register his first win with the side, notching a narrow 2-1 win over Muaither in in the middle of December. However draws against the like of Al Sailiya, Umm Salal and Al Shahania saw his side just outside of the relegation zone.

Come January, and Al Ahli brought in a host of professional players to boost their flagging season. The likes of Yassine Chikhaoui, Cristian Maidana and a returning Mojtaba Jabbari all hired to push the Brigadeers up the league standings.

However it wasn’t the professional players who proved to be the catalyst in Ahli’s turn around. Ali Ferydoon was picked up on loan from Al Shamal, and the local striker has come up with some crucial goals for his new team. His strong performances were central to a run of three straight wins in January, which pulled Ahli out of trouble.

To date, Al Ahli has picked up seven wins, six draws and ten defeats in the league season. Whilst form has dropped off in recent weeks, only picking up four points from a possible fifteen in their last five.  A solitary point should but all confirm their status in the league for another season.

Yusef Adam has a knack of finishing a season strongly, and could feasibly grab maximum points from their final three games of the season. First up is Al Kharaitiyat, followed by a tough away assignment to title chasing Lekhwiya rounded off with a match against Muaither. The Qatari coach will certainly be looking to gain momentum in the league, in order to make an impact in the season ending Emir Cup.