Draw Specialists Shahania need victories from the final games of the QSL season

Al Shahania is next under the spotlight as we look at the progress of the teams in the QSL during the international break. TheOryxes had a busy season on the managerial front, changing their head coach on no fewer than three occasions. The change has done little to change the form of the side, which are currently in the relegation zone and four points away from the playoff position.

In truth, many people would not have given Al Shahania much of a chance of beating the drop, seeing that traditionally most newly promoted sides often end up back in the Qatar Gas League after one season in the top flight. However despite this Shahania have proved to be a real challenge for many of the sides in the QSL, and could yet buck the odds and end up beat the drop.

Al Shahania made a solid start to life in the QSL, putting together an impressive four game unbeaten streak, which saw then head Coach Jose Fernando pick up the coveted coach of the month award. Whilst defeats to the top sides in the league followed, Al Shahania had a knack of drawing with the sides around them giving the promoted side a chance of beating relegation.

That all came crashing down just before the new year when Al Shahania suffered a humiliating 10-0 defeat to Lekhwiya, Fernando was promptly relieved of his duties and replaced with former Croatian national team coach Igor Štimac.

Under the new coach Shahania has stabilized to date the Oryxes have picked up just two wins in the league, eleven draws (The highest tally in the league) and ten defeats in the league. Heading into the final games of the season, Shahania must be targeting to turn those draws into victories if they harbor any ambition of beating the drop.

Shahania have three interesting games to round off the season, first up they take on an inconsistent Al Arabi side, afterwards a potential six pointer against direct relegation rivals Al Khor and finally a tough encounter against Lekhwiya who could be fighting for the title on the last game of the season. If Shahania can somehow grab two wins they could feasibly get out of trouble.

Head coach Igor Štimac has been eager to praise the efforts of his players in training and during games. The Croatian coach will be hoping that his charges can push on and beat the drop with a solid showing in their final three games of the season.