Al Khor are struggling at the foot of the table, and will be looking to end the first half of the season with a positive result against the reigning QSL champions Al Rayyan. Head coach Jean Fernandez spoke to the local media ahead of the game. 

“We will play against the Champions, it will be a difficult match for us as everyone is in the QSL. We have played well in the last games. We deserved to win against Al Shahania so we will be ready to put in the best performance at home” noted the French tactician. 

Khor registered a draw last time out to stop a run of five defeats and coach Fernandez believes his side has turned a corner. “Yes, it was very important to stop the run of defeats. After leading 2-0 we where disappointed we could not win, but generally we where happy with how we played.” 

Fernandez ended his press conference with a injury update on his squad. “Madson and Iajour will be absent again for this game, we expect them to be fit for the second half of the season. In the January transfer window we will be looking to bring in local talent to improve our squad. 

Opening the press conference Al Rayyan coach Michael Laudrup talked up the qualities of his side following their 3-0 over Al Arabi in the Doha Derby. “The team is full of confidence right now, we played well against a good team and we registered a big victory I am very pleased with the performance.”

“It’s important to finish the year well, Al Khor are fighting to stay in the Qatar Starts League, so this game will be a challenge for us” noted the Danish coach. 

Al Rayyan put in one of their best performances of the season against Al Arabi, and Laudrup noted that his side are looking to push on to defend their QSL title in the second half of the season. “We showed that we played well and that we can win against Al Arabi and bar a few games this season we have had a good first half. It is up to us as a squad to push on in the second half of the season and compete for trophies.” 

Al Rayyan will be without two key defenders in Mohammed Alaaeldin and Musa Haroon for the trip to Al Khor, but Laudrup belives his squad will be able to fill for the two right sided defenders. "It’s never nice with injured players especially in defence but we have quality in our squad and we will be able to compensate against Al Khor.”