The Peninsula
Al Ahli will be looking for a positive result when they take on arch-rivals Al Arabi in today’s quarter-final match of the Amir Cup at Duhail Stadium.
Besides a place in the semi-final, much will be at stake in the 'Hilal derby' clash.
Coach Nebojsa Jovovic, who replaced Spaniard Ruben de la Barrera midway through the season, is aware of the challenge which lies ahead for his team in the most prestigious tournament, played on a knockout basis.
“Past two games we did not have positive results against Al Arabi, we know that well, but we are keen to improve our performance and we will make sure we come up with an improved show in today’s match,” said the 45-year-old, ahead of the derby clash.
Jovovic said his team has been improving over the last few matches but that has not reflected in the end results.
“We are improving but that is not showing off with positive results but we are keen to have some wins in our bag,” said the former Montenegro striker.
“Amir Cup is a special competition and full of surprises between eight best teams. It’s one game and like a qualifier. So, we are keen to give a high-level performance,” said Jovovic.
Al Ahli go into the match having lost 1-0 to Al Rayyan in their Round 17 match of the QNB Stars League (QSL) while in the earlier round they drew 2-2 with Qatar SC.
The Brigadiers are lying in the eight places at the end of the 17th round with 19 points.
Al Arabi, on the other hand, are in fifth place with 24 points and go into today’s match having a positive result against their name from the Round 17 tie against Al Khor.
Coach Heimir Hallgrímsson side won 1-0 against Al Khor while the earlier week they drew with third-placed Al Sadd 1-1.
The former Iceland coach is hoping to have all his key players back on duty after missing a few of them for the most part of the season, one of them Iceland captain Aron Gunnarsson.
“We have been missing some key players including Aron (Gunnarsson) for three months. For the moment we need all our strongest players to perform our best. I hope we have all our players and we are at full strength,” Hallgrimsson said on the eve of the match.
Gunnarsson, who has returned after an injury lay off is keen to sign off the season-ending tournament successfully.
“We want to finish the season on a high note,” said Gunnarsson.
The 30-year-old was ruled out of action due to an ankle injury he picked up while playing for Al Arabi in the QSL action.
The injury meant he also missed some key Euro 2020 qualifying matches for Iceland.
Gunnarsson, joined Al Arabi in March last year from Cardiff City on a two-year contract after serving the English Premier League club for eight years.
The 30-year-old Gunnarsson, who has 81 caps for his country and has been their captain since 2012, has overseen both their inaugural major tournament appearances at Euro 2016 in France and the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
He was one of the heroes of their maiden Euro Cup campaign in 2016 where they stunned England 2-1 in the pre-quarter-finals before going down 2-5 to France in the quarter-finals.
In Cardiff City, he holds the record as the longest-serving player having played 278 games, scoring 25 goals.
The clash between Al Ahli and Al Arabi, which kicks off at 6.30 pm, is the first of the four quarter-finals.
Tomorrow, Al Rayyan take on Al Markhiya while on Friday, Al Wakra squares up to Al Sadd while on Saturday Al Duhail play Al Sailiya.