Meisameer head coach Rodion Gacanin pulled no punches ahead of his sides match with top of the table Al Rayyan today at the Al Arabi stadium. “It is clear that there is a technical gulf in class between the two sides, however we will try to match them tactically. I hope that Rayyan have a little bit of bad luck and we can take advantage,” the Croatian coach joked at his side’s pre-match press conference on Thursday morning.
“Our last match against Al Rayyan was a close match, and we only conceded in the last minutes to loose. We will be looking for a similar performance from our side, “ said Gacanin, whose side has only registered only one win so far this season.
The Meisameer coach also revealed that his side could be without their top scorer Erivelto Silva for this clash. In conclusion Rodion talked up the fighting qualities of his team, “Of course we will fight with the same intensity that we have shown in our matches and training right until the end of the season.  
Al Rayyan head coach Jorge Fossati struck a cautious tone at his team’s pre-match press conference on Thursday morning. “We are playing the bottom side in the league, but that doesn’t mean a guaranteed victory we have to work hard again in this match.”
“We still have a long way to go for the league title there is thirty points to play for, we have not lifted the title yet. However if we continue our form in the next few weeks the title picture will be clearer,” noted the Uruguayan tactician.
Talking about the return of Qatari Under 23 star Ahmed Alaa, Fossati said, “Everyone is talking to me about this. He has just returned to training yesterday; we need to assess his form and fitness. Ask me next week about him.”  

Wakrah coach expects a close match against Khor
Al Wakrah head coach Jose Mauricio is predicting a close tie when his side face Al Khor in their round 17 clash at Wakrah stadium today afternoon.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference the Urguyan coach said: “Both teams are in similar in terms of league position and also statistically, they are coming off the back of a strong result and will be looking to get another win.”
Despite both teams being close in the league, Mauricio is confident that he can make the home advantage count. “I think that we have the advantage at playing at home, and we will be looking to take advantage of this. However I think that Al Khor are really well organized and so are we, we will have to work hard in attack and take our chances,” he said.
“A victory against a rival like Al Khor will give us confidence in the league. We will be able to look forward to our next matches with more confidence, knowing we are a little further ahead of the relegation zone,” added Mauricio, whose Wakrah side is in 9th place in the QSL standings.
“We need to move forward as a team, and improve our players. We are also aiming to get away from the relegation zone,” said the Uruguayan on his team’s aims for the second half of the season.    
Al Khor’s French head coach Jean Fernandez insisted that confidence his high in his squad following their round 16 victory over title-chasing El Jaish. “The squad is in good spirits, we have prepared well but we must remember that Wakrah had a good result against Al Sadd,” said Fernandez
The Frenchman also said his side was up to the challenge of getting back to back victories. “Al Wakrah are strong defensively and a big physical side but that will not stop us in trying to get back to back wins.”
Al Khor have only made one change in the January transfer window with the addition of Korean defender Heo Jae-Won who has replaced injured compatriot Lee Yong.
“We decided not to make many changes in January. I have faith in my players we were really forced with the injury to Lee,” said Fernandez.