Doha: Al Gharafa coach Pedro Martins has confirmed his side readiness to face Umm Salal in Week 7 of the 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League on Friday at Thani bin Jassim Stadium. Speaking to the media ahead of their 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League Week 7 match against Umm Salal, Al Gharafa coach Pedro Martins said, "We spent about three weeks in the break, it was important for some players to play competitive matches and it was also an opportunity to watch some players from the Olympic and youth teams to include them in the future with the first team because many players were with the national teams. It was good to recover some injured players such as Aron and Muntari, and there are some players who will arrive a day before the match. "We know Umm Salal well, they maintain the same approach and mentality, a very good team, and they are having a great season, and we know the difficulties we will face, it is an important match for us. I am sure that everyone will be ready and they understand the diff iculties that Umm Salal will put against us, especially since they play in a good and organized defensive manner. They also have players who have speed in attack, so we have to be alert and well-prepared to deal with counterattacks. "Korean player Jang is still undergoing treatment, as is Assim Madibo, and as for Muntari, we will see how ready he is to participate in the match. As for Aron, as you know, he cannot play in the league and will be ready to participate in the AFC Champions League Elite in the next round," said Martins. Speaking to the media ahead of their 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League Week 7 match against Al Gharafa, Umm Salal coach Patrice Carteron said, "There is continuous improvement in the league, which makes the match against Al Gharafa difficult, but our players are determined to achieve the best result in this encounter. "I am very happy with the team's performance, because we are refreshed and ready to compete again, and we hope to continue in this manner. The team lineup is re ady after the players Naim, Badji, Oussama and Edidiong returned and joined training, and we can help them recover well and prepare them for the rest of the season. "The matches against Al Gharafa are always strong due to both teams' style of attacking performance. We are looking forward to achieve a positive result and I am confident in the technical and skill capabilities of the players in order to make a strong appearance. "The players' morale is very good and they realize that they are able to provide a good level, after they showed great desire and seriousness in the previous matches, and promised to do their utmost to achieve victory," said Carteron. Source: Qatar News Agency