One Banner, Four Teams: Qatar's Coaches Speak with One Voice
30 October 2025
Match Preview
We enter the ninth round of the Doha Bank Qatar Stars League with Al Arabi hosting Al Shahaniya at Al Thumama Stadium and Al Wakrah welcoming Qatar SC at Saoud bin Abdul Rahman Stadium.
Al Shahaniya remain bottom with 4 points, Al Arabi eighth with 7, Al Wakrah sixth on 11, while Qatar SC lead with 17 after five wins and two draws and no defeats.
Spanish coach Vicente Moreno of Al Wakrah says the team is ready for the ninth round and hopes for a strong reaction after the recent loss.
We come off a loss, and its good to play soon because we will try to show a strong reaction, Moreno told the press. He adds that facing Cosmin Contra's Qatar side is familiar and that Qatar are enjoying a great season.
Moreno notes that the focus is on our team and the upcoming game, not on the opponent.
Regarding Contra, Moreno jokes that Contra is Spanish and has been in Qatar for a long time, and that he and his team are enjoying a great campaign.
He concludes with no rest for us, we must stay focused for 90 minutes and manage the details that win big games.
Key Matchups
Qatar SC coach Cosmin Contra says the upcoming match against Wakrah will be tough and urges continued work and focus to secure positive results. He adds that they face a difficult test against a team with very good players and must progress step by step in the league.
On leading the table, Contra says we are at the top, but there are many hard games ahead; we must stay disciplined.
He notes several absences due to injuries or suspensions but states players are ready to fill the gaps.
Qatar SC goalkeeper Santi Dinya praises the collective effort and says the match against Wakrah will be challenging as the league table shows; details and execution will decide it. No room for complacency.
Arabi coach Cosmin Contra stresses respecting every opponent and warns that Shahania is not easy despite their position. Shahania is not an easy team; they show high levels and the game will not be easy and could be tougher than the last one.
Shahania coach Santi Dinya replies that this weeks match against Al Arabi will be different; the team is focused on details and results. We are preparing to achieve positive results; there are opportunities that have not translated into goals yet.
Arabi goalkeeper Jassim Al Hil says Shahania is among the most disruptive teams in the league, regardless of position; they are disciplined and play with fighting spirit. Shahania captain Shihab Al-Lithi adds that we are fully ready; this match wont be easy, and Arabi comes off a win while we come off a loss; we will try to correct mistakes and rebound.
No room for rest
In short, the coaches insist the league remains highly competitive and the second half of the round will be decisive. Punchline time: if this league was a movie, it would be called the drama league. Another punchline: the ball keeps bouncing, and so do our hopes for a perfect weekend.
