El Jaish take on Al Sailiya on Thursday morning with the soldiers in need of a win to kick-start their slow 2017 which has started without a win so far. Head coach Sabri Lamouchi spoke to the media ahead of the match. 

Lamouchi opened the press conference noting that his side need a win to turn around their season.“It’s not a easy moment for us, we have had a tough 2017 and it’s been hard to win games. Tomorrow we will try to make a good performance and try and get the three points against Al Sailiya.” 

El Jaish have strengthened their ranks with two players from Al Sailiya, whilst three players from El Jaish have headed on loan, and Lamouchi stated that his opponents are completely different in this match. “It’s important that we have signed two players from Al Sailiya to help us for the remainder of the season. Sailiya are now a different team, the professionals are totally different and the locals are new. They have a new attitude and a new spirit and we are facing a team tomorrow who will be a challenge for us.”

“In the last ten games we have only won two games. It is impossible to win the league with this such form” lamented the French coach when asked about his sides realistic title hopes. 

El Jaish have also been boosted by the news of Seidou Keita signing a six month contract extension with the side.“I hope Keita can help the team and the club to take some trophies. Only Xavi in Qatar more won then him in his career. He has plenty of experience for the team and is a big player, at the end I hope he can use his experience to help El Jaish win a trophy at the end of the season.”

As for Sailiya they have had a busy week on the transfer front, picking up the El Jaish trio of Rami Fayez, Mohammed Jumaa and Wagner Ribero on loan. Ahead of the game, Tunisian coach Sami Trabelsi gave his thoughts to the local media.

Trabelsi opened up the press conference stressing that El Jaish are a dangerous proposition for his side. “It’s a difficult game against a good side with quality  players. It’s not the El Jaish side from the first half of the season they have lost form and moral, but they are still dangerous and they have good players all over the pitch.”

Al Sailiya have picked up a total of seven players this transfer window, and Trabelsi is hoping they can push his side up the QSL standings. “Right now, we are still in the danger zone. We have signed some good players in the last week, we have eight games in the league and I hope the new players will add to the squad. I feel we have more balance in attack with the new signings and I hope this can make a difference for our season.”

The Tunisian coach ended his press conference insisting that positive results will determine his sides fate in the league. “Only positive results will help our cause for survival and that will be our main aim now. The league will be decided in the next few weeks, so now it’s a matter of points for my side.”