The Peninsula
Al Rayyan coach Nicholas Cordova stressed the importance of the key QNB Stars League (QSL) clash against Qatar SC, adding that a victory is necessary to improve their position.
Today's match which will be played at Thani bin Jassim Stadium, will bring together the two teams in a postponed match from week 18.
The match was postponed and rescheduled due to Qatar SC’s clash against Tunisian club Sfaxien in the first leg of first preliminary round in King Salman Club Cup, played in the Tunisian city of Sfax, which ended in a goalless draw before a 1-1 stalemate in the return leg in Doha on April 11 as the visitors progressed on away-goal rule.
In QSL this season, Al Rayyan are placed ninth in the standings with 17 points, on goal difference with Al Shamal, and Qatar SC are sixth with 26 points.
Cordova, speaking at a press conference yesterday, said: “We know that it is an important match, and we know that winning is necessary to improve our position in the standings table.”
“During this season we played many good matches, and unfortunately we did not achieve the points we deserve, and it is very important to take advantage of the good offensive performance, and try to improve the defensive performance of the team, and reduce the reception of goals, in order to win the matches,” Cordova said.
He also pointed out that now his team is focused only on the remaining four matches, and said: “We put our full focus on it, I do not know after that who will be ready, and with what squad we will play, but what matters to me is the next match, Knowing that the four matches are very important.”
His opposite number, Yousef Safri said everyone is looking forward to the upcoming clash.
“Everyone is looking forward to our match against Al Rayyan, which is always full of excitement and fun. I hope the match will be attended by fans and that our fans will be present in the stadium as they used to. For us, we must be at the top of focus and this game will be a positive turning point towards achieving victories,” Safri said.
“Since joining the team, our philosophy has focused on striving to represent the club in the best way in terms of performance and results. So far, I am happy with the performance of the players in general despite the fact that we went through periods in which we were not lucky,” said the former Morocco international who took over the job at Qatar SC last in 2021.
Al Rayyan lost to Al Duhail 3-4 in their postponed match from Week 15 played last Tuesday, while Qatar SC lost 0-2 to Al Sadd in Week 19.