Upbeat Al Rayyan ready for Qatar SC

Doha, Qatar: Al Rayyan made a big statement in the Qatar Stars League recently when they stunned reigning champions and overwhelming favourites Al Sadd 4-21 but the Lions coach Diego Aguirre says they need to focus on the matches ahead.

That victory took Rayyan to fourth in the table but Aguirre needs to make sure that it has a lasting impact.

Rayyan are fourth in the table with 12 points from six games and will take on Qatar SC on Saturday.

"Everyone knows that Al Sadd are the best team in Qatar. That’s the truth. We could beat them in the Qatar Clasico in the last round. Now, we’re much focused on the Qatar SC game. We’ll try to take advantage of the positives we took from the Al Sadd game.

“The important thing for me is to keep my players at the top of their readiness. I’m not thinking how Qatar SC are preparing. I just focus on my team and how my players are working,” said Aguirre.

Al Rayyan player Ahmed Maqsoud said, “I think after we beat Al Sadd, the expectations from us are high. We’ve to show the same level against Qatar SC.

“We had played strong matches before facing Al Sadd. We had exhibited a good level against Al Duhail and Al Gharafa, and our victory against Al Sadd wasn’t a coincidence. We’re ambitious.”

Al Duhail SC will take on Umm Salal hoping to consolidate their position at the top while Al Arabi, who are off to a fine start under coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, will be without key player Aron Gunnarsson when they take on Al Gharafa on Sunday.

“I know the strength of Al Gharafa, they have good players with high skills and experience. We’re ready for the match," said Hallgrimsson.

“Our injured midfielder Aron (Gunnarsson) will be absent for two or three months. It was unfortunate for us to lose a player like him at this stage. He’s a fighter and supports other players as well.

In the other matches, Al Sailiya take on Al Wakrah and Al Ahli play Al Shahania.