Fifth placed Al Gharafa take on Al Khor on Friday evening with the Cheetahs looking to get back to winning ways following just one win from their last five QSL outings. Portuguese coach Pedro Caixinia spoke to the media ahead of the game.  

Caixinia opened up his press conference outlining what his side needs from the game.“The important thing now is that we win three points from our next game. We are doing well as a side, the players are training well and this combined with a good performance is what we are looking for against Al Khor.”

“It’s been a tough season for my side, but we need to get back on track and we will always be looking to win. Al Khor are a really organised team, Jean Fernandez is a real gentleman. We know what we expect from them and my side knows exactly what they have to do to get the win” noted the Portuguese coach during the Thursday morning press conference. 

The Al Gharafa boss ended the press conference insisting that despite a slump in form, his side is on the right track. “It’s not a question of a moral boosting result. I am more concerned about the process, but looking at the last game i really believe that we are moving in the right direction, despite losing. It takes time to build the club, right now we are in the highest position we have been in for six years in the league. We must now build from this and get the most possible points
from the remaining games in the league.”

Al Khor posses a similar one win from their last five QSL games, and will be targeting a win against Al Gharafa. Knights coach Jean Fernandez revealed his thoughts to the local media ahead of the Friday evening game. 

Opening up the press conference, Fernandez revealed that is expecting an entertaining tie against Al Gharafa. “We have prepared well for the match, it’s a difficult task against Al Gharafa but I am confident that my side can do one better than the good game we played against them in the first leg.”

“No player, no coach or management is more important than the club. We have to work for the interest of the club and to move the club forward” responded Fernandez in regards to his sides precarious position in the league. 

Fernandez ending his press conference rejecting the notion that it was a good  time to take on a out of form Al Gharafa side.“It’s never a good time to play them,I am worried about Al Gharafa, they have very good players. It’s true they have not played recently, but the quality players they have enable them to get out of this run of form.”