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Tribune News Network
Doha
Ninth-placed Al Arabi host Al Rayyan in Round 8 of the QNB Stars League at the Al Arabi Stadium on Sunday. The Dream Team who recently appointed Luka Bonacic to turn its poor run in the league have managed just one win and two draws after seven matches.
The Croatian in his pre-match press briefing bemoaned his side's poor defensive showing in recent matches games.
"I've got only a few days to prepare the side after taking over from Qais Yaakoubi. My biggest concern is the defence. The team is lying in the ninth position with just five points and has conceded double (16) the number of goals than we've scored. Overall, we've much work to do in order to go up the standings, particularly in the defence.
"If you analyse some of the games played by Al Arabi, we've conceded last-minute goals many times. All that has affected us very badly. I've much experience in Qatar football and I do hope to reverse the trend and make a turnaround in our fortunes," Bonacic said.
Despite highlighting the team's defensive problems, the Croatian believes the club can bounce back from their slump in form.
"We can't achieve good results overnight. It'll take time. My job is to help the team stand in good stead. Frankly speaking, I haven't made any tactical move for this match. I'm only instilling confidence in the players. Overall, I'm happy with the quality of our players, who can be moulded into my style of coaching. But you'll see this group of players fight hard on the pitch in the coming matches," he said.
Meanwhile, Al Rayyan coach Michael Laudrup is looking forward to another positive result as the Lions' seek to keep pace with Duhail and Al Sadd.
"This is my third derby with Al Rayyan against Al Arabi. Last season, we won 3-1 and the other game was drawn 1-1. I hope we extend our domination. We've been winning of late, be it the league or cup engagements, and that's a good sign, so we expect to win this match also and thus consolidate our position in the standings.
"But then, this is a derby and Al Arabi will try everything they possibly can to win. They'll have respect for Al Rayyan, considering our good form and position. Moreover, they've a new coach (Luka Bonacic) who is no stranger to Qatar football. Obviously, he'll have new tactics, so we're preparing for more possibilities and I do expect a tough resistance," he said.
In other games, high-flying Umm Salal visit Al Sadd in the early kickoff, while league leaders Al Duhail host Al Kharaitiyat.
