Derby Day for Al Arabi & Al RayyanThe twelfth round of QSL action will have a distinct national day feel to it with the games being played just days from Qatar National on the 18th of December. It’s no wonder then that the QSL match of the week will involve two of the country’s most popular teams as Al Arabi take on Al Rayyan on Saturday the 17th of December at Al Arabi stadium.
Al Arabi have been steadily improving under new Brazilian coach Edison Aguirre in recent weeks, and are finding their form at the right time ahead of their derby day match up Al Rayyan. Last time out The Dream team came from behind against Al Khor to register a big 2-1 win thanks to CaptainBoualem Khoukhi and summer signing Wagner Ribero. Arabi have yet to taste defeat in three QSL games and will be looking to build on their run of form.
One player at the heart of Al Arabi’s upturn in fortunes has been Qatar international Boualem Khoukhi. Aguirre has elected to push the midfielder into a more attacking role in recent weeks and it’s certainly paid dividends for the side. Khoukhi has scored twice in his last three QSL games and will be targeting a similar match winning preformace against bitter rivals Al Rayyan.
As for the visitors Al Rayyan, they promptly bounced back from their Qatar Clasico humbling at the hands of Al Sadd with a 1-0 win over Al Wakrah. Michael Laudrup’s side needed an own goal Abdulrahman Fakhroo to secure all three points, however the result will be more important for the Danish tactician who saw his side return to winning ways after two league defeats.
Qatar international striker Sebastian Soria will be eager to make an impact for the Lions against their old rivals. The powerful center forward has plenty of chances against Al Wakrah to open his tally this season, and will be confident of grabbing a goal against an Al Arabi defense who tend to concede goals this season.
It certainly promises to be a match to savour when Al Arabi take on Al Rayyan in the derby on Saturday the 17th of December, KO 18:10 at Al Arabi stadium. You can pick up tickets for the match here.
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