Al Arabi boss Gianfranco Zola is expecting Lekhwiya to bounce back strongly from their defeat to Al Sailiya when they clash in the Qatar Stars League today.
Lekhwiya, the defending champions, found their already slim hopes of retaining the title vanish after the shock 3-2 defeat by Al Sailiya allowed runaway leaders Al Rayyan to consolidate their advantage at the top. Al Rayyan now have 48 points while third-placed Lekhwiya have only 34.
“Lekhwiya are coming off the back of a loss to Al Sailiya, they will be looking to win again,” Zola, the former West Ham coach noted at his side’s pre-match press conference yesterday morning. “I think we can build on the good performance we had against Al Gharafa.”
Zola also noted that the game will give his side the chance to leapfrog Al Sadd and get into the top four. “We have spoken with the squad about our aim for the season. They know that if we win we will put pressure on Al Sadd, which is important for the overall aims of the side.”
The Italian said he expected his side to cope with the suspension of Ashkan and Ali Jasmi.
Zola concluded by giving an update on his team ahead of the Lekhwiya game. “We will be without Ashkan and Ali Jasmi for this match as they are suspended. However we will find ways to cover these players in our squad. The return of Paulinho to training will help us for this match.”
Lehwiya’s assistant coach Bruno Oliveira put on a brave face, saying his side can return to winning ways after their morale-shattering loss to Al Sailiya.
“We will face a good side his week, but Lekhwiya is used to playing with high pressure, and I am confident we can get a good result.”
Oliveria is taking care of the side whilst head coach Djamel Belmadi serves a match ban, handed to him in the wake of his sending off against Sailiya in round 17. Despite the Red Knights being without their coach on the pitch, Oliveria believes the suspension will make little difference. “Belmadi leads the team, but the squad is mature enough to win without him. I believe we have the confidence to win, they know what is required of them.
Oliveria concluded the press conference to address the rumours around Youseff Msakni who has been linked with a number of sides in China. “Rumours like this always chase big players. Msakni is happy and Lekhwiya is happy with Youseff.”
Meanwhile, Al Kharaitiyat head coach Amir Osim has stressed the importance of his side’s match against Al Ahli in round 18 of the Qatar Stars League.  
“This week we are playing a side in a similar position to us.  We have not achieved a win in three matches now, and we need to win and change our way against Al Kharaitiyat,” he said
Talking about his current position in the league Osim said; “Right now we are in 12th place and some would say we are fighting for survival. This is a chance for my side to get a result and we will be looking to do that against Al Ahli.
“Our team cannot sign big players because of certain circumstances; some members of our squad have been here for a long time. When developing a side you need to have patience, our side will emerge stronger and develop in the second half of the season” the Bosnian tactician remarked when asked why his side was struggling this season.”
Osim concluded his conference noting that changing professional players does not affect the mentality of teams. “You only have to look at Al Khor who made limited changes in the winter, and they have improved drastically. Whilst Al Gharafa have changed players, and not won yet, it is important that you strike a right balance with your team. Hopefully we can archive this against Al Ahli.”
Ahli head coach Yousuf Adam admitted that facing Al Kharaitiyat will be a tougher challenge than facing Al Sadd in round 17.
“Our match this week will be a different challenge for us as we are playing a rival. In many ways we have had to change our mentality and give our best in order to archive a positive result.
“The players have to prove themselves again just like they did against Al Sadd. The match against Al Kharaitiyat is one against a rival and my squad has prepared well for this challenge.’ The Qatari coach responded when asked about his sides 1-1 draw with Al Sadd.