The Peninsula
Doha: Al Duhail’s new coach Walid Regragui will be looking for his first win when the Amir Cup champions start their title defence against second division side Muaither SC today at their home ground.
Regragui, a replacement for coach Rui Faria, who parted ways with the club after losing 4-0 to Al Sadd in the Qatar Cup final, will be keen to steady the ship after a couple of losses.
The French-born Moroccan Regragui lost his first match as Al Duhail coach to Al Rayyan 1-0, the loss cut their lead at the top of the Qatar Stars League table to just two points. However, Regragui is not unduly worried about starting his coaching stint in Qatar on a losing note.
“I am under no pressure, I have told my players to quickly forget the loss against Al Rayyan. I told my players there are matches we don’t play well and we win and there are oxcassions we played badly and we win. In the QSL match, we had 60 percent ball possession but we paid dearly for one mistake,” said Regragui about the loss to Al Rayyan.
Regragui said the need of the hour is to be focussed at all times.
“We have to concentrate all the time and we have to be focused and be more diligent in front of the goal,” he added.
The former Morocco defender said he needs some time to impose his style of play and coaching philosophy.
“I have confidence especially in my work and in my players. We still have a lot of time to work with the players and they have to get used to my system of play which will take a little while.” Regragui said he is also focused on getting some of his injured players match ready for the upcoming matches.
“Our focus now is on returning our injured players like Youssef Msakni, Edmilson and work hard with Mario Mandzukich. Mandzukich needs some time to get used to the other team-mates,” Regragui said.
The coach assured supporters that they will see change in a month’s time.
“I know the players and I have confidence in myself, I am a young game coach and wherever I went I have done well but it takes time for a coach and the goal is that in a few weeks the change will happen,” said the 44 year-old.
Meanwhile, Muaither SC coach Philippe Burle said he is trying to bring about a change as to how his players approach today’s game against Al Duhail.
“I have told them to go into the match with a positive frame of mind and give their best,” the former defender said.
The Frenchman said upsets in the Amir Cup are rare but he did not rule his team registering one in today’s match.
“In France, in the French Cup a lot of upsets take place and i am trying to tell the players that they can cause an upset,” said the 46-year-old.