Jasprit Bumrah scalps four as India bounce back to skittle Australia at the MCG page 14

SUNday, DECEMBER 27, 2020 Al Ahli in rising Al Duhail’s path as both sides eye second place in standings

Al Duhail players train ahead of their Sunday QNB Stars League clash against Al Ahli. Al Ahli players warming up for a training session.

Tribune News Network Qatar SC. We needed to pause, re- Rayyan manager as they take on Al Doha think and then move forward as we Khor today. Rayyan put on a fight- have learned the lessons of defeat,” ing performance against Al Sadd Al Ahli host the fast rising and he said. in the last round, before going to defending champions Al Duhail in “It is necessary in football that leaders. And with Al Khor, who an exciting clash of the QNB Stars a player always looks forward and are 11th with seven points, having League on Sunday with both sides works with all his energy for the sacked Frederic Hantz on the match aiming to rise to second place in the best. At the same time, I would tell eve, Rayyan should be able to sail standings. my players that whoever cannot through their opponents. Al Ahli briefly held the top spot play with all strength is better for Blanc said he was still hurting on the table before Al Sadd notched him to stay at home. Al Duhail are a ranks, Lamouchi should fancy his from the defeat to Al Sadd. “There nine wins in a row to claim the place strong team and it will be a difficult team’s chances against Ahli. is no doubt that I am sad about the and are the current leaders with a game for us. I respect them a lot, In another match on Sunday, Al loss against Al Sadd. It was also a difference of seven points. also their bench strength, and they Sailiya play Al Arabi at the Al Ahli difficult loss for our players and While Al Gharafa are placed are the title holders,” he said. Stadium. Al Sailiya are seventh with fans. That is why we are working second, both Al Ahli and Duhail can Jovovic, however, expected his 12 points, while Al Arabi are placed to get wins starting with our next climb with a win. players to bounce back. “I have ninth with nine points. match against Al Khor. Wins will Only two points separate Ahli trust in the capabilities of my play- Heimir Hallgrimsson-coached give the team new identity and per- and Gharafa, and one point is the ers to provide a distinguished level, Al Arabi are on a high after defeat- sonality. There is no doubt that last difference between Ahli and Duhail. a performance that keeps Al Ahli in ing Al Kharaitiyat 3-1 in Week 10. week we played against a side that Duhail stormed into the top four their current position. I expect the The Dream Team thus put behind is a good team and also has a good with 18 points after beating Al Khor players to present a distinguished the disappointment of suffering a coach. is a coach who was able last week. The Red Knights are tied level and provide everything they 1-2 defeat at the hands of Al Sadd match will give us a high morale. A schedule has taken a toll on his to make effective changes, but for Al with Qatar SC on 18 points and have in the match. We need our in the Amir Cup final played at the win would also relieve the pressure team. “There was not enough time Rayyan, we made only one change goal difference (+8), but are placed fans at the stadium to support us, newly-inaugurated Ahmed bin Ali on the players to give their best and to prepare, there is a match every when the felt tired,” fourth having scored more number especially when we lose and come Stadium. it will elevate us on the points table. four or five days, and our focus is said Blanc. of goals. back stronger with their support in Hallgrimsson said his players So, yes, I would say it is a very im- currently on working to restore “Our preparation for the Al Khor Al Ahli will be looking to re- order to achieve victory and cele- must build on recent good perfor- portant match,” said Hallgrimsson. physical fitness, and we are work- match went off in the same way that gain second place in the standings, brate with them. I will be happy if Al mances. “We performed well in the Meanwhile, ’s ing on the offensive aspects as we we put together before we prepared which they lost to Gharafa following Ahli fans came to the stadium and Al Kharaitiyat match and scored Sailiya are having a roller-coaster miss many scoring opportunities,” for the last match against Al Sadd. their loss (1-4) to Qatar SC in Week encouraged the team,” said Jovovic. three goals in what was an im- ride this season. They had recorded he said. “I believe Al Arabi is a good So all matches are equally impor- 10. Duhail, meanwhile, are on the portant victory. We hope that we an upset 2-1 victory over holders Al team, and I hope that our motiva- tant. The players should know this, On Friday, Ahli’s coach Nebojsa path of recovery after initial fum- will use this good form in the next Duhail in Week 8, but then crashed tion is greater than that of Al Arabi that all preparations must be very Jovovic admitted that his team was ble with coach Sabri Lamouchi still match and take advantage of the op- to a 1-3 loss to Qatar SC and played and we are able to win,” Trabelsi high and we have a lot to do in or- low on confidence after their loss searching for the right balance. But portunities that we get to win. It is out a 1-1 draw with Umm Salal in added. der to be able to perform well. The to Qatar SC. “We suffered a loss of with Eduardo Rodriguez (Dudu) always important to win, especially the last round. Elsewhere, will performance was good against Al confidence after our game against and Paulo Edmilson in Duhail’s in a clash involving Al Sailiya as this Trabelsi said the busy playing be hoping for his first victory as Al Sadd,” the French coach added.

QOC Beach Games: Team Al Shaqab qualify for women’s beach handball final

Team Al Shaqab blanked Team Lusail 2-0 in the women’s beach handball semi-final to book a place in the final of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Beach Games 2020 on Saturday. Msheireb were involved in the second semis against Yasminat Tunisia. Over 500 male and female athletes are participating in the maiden QOC Beach Games which will be held over two weeks until January 2, 2021. (TNN)