DOHA (Qatar): Relegation-threatened Al Shahania are in the thick of action following their 3-1 win over Al Ahli last weekend at the Qatar Stars League (QSL).
But they cannot afford to drop points in the remaining four games if they are to stay in the top flight as nearest teams on the table, Umm Salal and Al Khor are on 15 and 14 points respectively.
Shahania are lying at the bottom of 12-team table with 13 points with two wins and nine defeats while they drew seven games.
Should they continue with their spirited performance and win in the next four rounds, Shahania may avert the relegation.
Coached by Nabil Anwar who recently replaced Spaniard Jose Murcia, will play Al Sailiya in Week 19.
Al Shahania had drawn 2-2 with Umm Salal in Week 17 on March 6 before the long break.
Despite the departure of Tunisian Ahmed Akaichi and his strike partner Ali Ferydoun for Al Shamal after his loan spell, the core of the squad remained the same.
Al Shahania’s four overseas professionals are Dutchman Nigel de Jong, Spaniard Alvaro Mejia, Iranian Ramin Rezaein, who scored a brace against Al Ahli, and Ivorian Kesse Amanguoa.
Nabil is also counting on Qatari players, such as Saad Al Sawan, Mustafa Jalal, Saleh Al Yahri and Abdullah Khaled Al Yazidi.
Shahania’s other remaining matches are against Qatar SC (Week 20), Al Rayyan (Week 21) and Al Khor (Week 22).
