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Al Duhail coach Hernan Crespo stated that the Red Knights had conducted extensive tactical and technical drills to achieve positive result in preparation for their 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League Week 9 match against Umm Salal.
Following their customary week of preparation, Crespo to the media on Tuesday. “We carried out a number of tactical and technical exercises. I know that our team is the best in the standings, but we have to show that on the field and that will help us get the required result.
“Our victory over Al Gharafa in the last round was good for us, especially since it came after a long break. Now we are facing a new match that will not be easy, which will make us work hard.
“I am very sad because of the injury of defender Ruben Semedo in our previous match and also the absence of defender Mohammed Moosa. But now he has returned and may be present with us in the coming period. These absences will not affect the team because players like Yousef Ayman and Mohammed Al Nuaimi made a mark for themselves,” said Crespo.
Al Duhail striker Michael Olunga said, “My priority on the field is to help the team achieve victory, whether by scoring goals or contributing to implementation of technical plan set by the coach.
“A difficult match awaits us against Umm Salal and we must be fully focused in order to show our strength and emerge from the match with another victory.
“As a striker, the most important thing for me is to score goals, but more important is to implement the coach’s strategy and help my team win whether I succeed in scoring or not. Victory of the team in every match remains our goal.”
Meanwhile, Umm Salal coach Wesam Rizik said: “We are ready for the match and we know the strengths and desire of Al Duhail with the return of their international players after playing in the World Cup.
“We are determined to put up a performance worthy of The Orange Fortress despite the difficulty of the situation because we know very well that Al Duhail will go into the match with great focus and motivation.”
Umm Salal player Abdulrahman Raafat said, “An important match against Al Duhail. We want to keep putting up good performances and reap points.
“Thank God, the technical staff prepared the team the perfect way during the break and we hope that we go into the break with great determination and perform very well.
“Al Duhail match will not be easy, for that matter, all matches are difficult, but we hope to achieve a positive result and get back to the winning path. We benefited much from the break.”
We must work hard to beat Qatar SC: Al Gharafa Coach Martins
Following their recent loss to Al Duhail, Al Gharafa coach Pedro Martins stated that his squad will work hard to defeat Qatar Sports Club in their Week 9 match today.
“The team continues to work well for this very important match and it is important to achieve victory.
“Despite the loss to Al Duhail, there were positive things in that match, especially in the first half during which we had three goalscoring opportunities, but not taking advantage of them was the negative thing in the match. Other than that, we suffered after the second goal of Al Duhail and the team was mentally affected, which led to a decline in performance.
“This is what we must change and what I expect from our players on Wednesday, especially since we will face a strong team that has brought in new players, and it is very important to win this game. Everyone must understand the magnitude of responsibility in the next match against Qatar SC,” said Martins.
Al Gharafa captain Othman Al Yahri said, “All players know the importance of the match and we are ready for it, realising its importance and difficulty. Thank God, all the training sessions were positive.”
