Season to forget so far for Al Arabi

Al Arabi is next side under the spotlight as we look at the progress of the teams in the QSL during the international break.  The 2016/2017 season will be one to forget for fans of the Dream Team, who after a busy summer looked set to push on for a top four finish in the league. However three coaches later and patchy form in the league leaves the former QSL champions in the lower reaches of the standings.

Currently Al Arabi are in is eighth place in the QSL standings, six points away from the relegation play-off place. At this late stage in the season, Arabi are now focusing on a highest possible finish in the league with a strong showing in the Emir Cup now a priority.  

The season started with much hope for the Dream Team, with the club making a splash in the summer transfer window signing big names such as Chilean midfielder Luis Jiménez and defender Moustapha Sall. The club also started with a new coach with Gerardo Pelusso taking over the club.

Just five games into the season, Pelusso were dismissed following two wins and three defeats in the league.  Al Arabi turned to Brazilian coach Edison Aguirre who managed to stop the rot of five straight defeats in the league with narrow victories over fellow strugglers Al Khor and Al Shahania.

Come January, Arabi made another managerial change hiring former fitness coach Oswaldo Olivera to lead the side. The former Santos coach picked up the fortunes of the side again, to date picking up eleven points from his eight matches in charge. This run of form has all but saved Al Arabi from a relegation dog-fight.

To date, Al Arabi has picked up eight wins, three draws and twelve defeats in the league season. Whilst the recent form has been good for the side who has only tasted defeat once in their last five games in the league.

The Dream team has all but assured of their league status in the QSL, despite having a shaky start to the campaign. Now the focus for Osvaldo Olivera’s men will be to end the season on a high heading to the Emir Cup competition. First up for Al Arabi will be a home match against a struggling Shahania side, followed up with a tough away assignment against high flying Al Rayyan. The Dream Team’s season will end with a tie against Umm Salal, a side they have already defeated this season.