Rayyan facing danger of finishing empty-handed

AL RAYYAN always ensure they win at least one title in a season. But the 2016-17 season has not been theirs for sure as they have failed to defend three titles.

First, they ceded the Qatar League crown to Police, then saw GCC Clubs crown slipping out of their hands and now the Qatar Cup is also gone.

With just the Emir’s Cup remaining, Rayyan will have to raise their game if they are not to finish empty-handed.

After the league campaign in which they finished fourth, long-serving Croatian coach Igor Arbutina was given the marching orders and was replaced by Brazilian Carlos Schwanke.

Under Schwanke, Rayyan have showed signs of resurgence, but a trophy still keeps eluding them.

Service is one area where Rayyan have found it tough and Schwanke promised he would work on that ahead of the Emir’s Cup.

“Sometimes, we need to take risks and minimise the problems. Service is one grey area where we’re losing too many points. But we’ll try to do better,” said Schwanke.

Cuba’s Oreol Camejo has been a good addition to the squad, but there are strong indications that Rayyan may also bring in a star spiker from Serbia, a fact which setter Andre Luiz confirmed.

“We’re hoping to get a new player from Serbia. “Maybe this move will work for us,” Luiz said.