Al Arabi coach Younes Ali, and Umm Salal coach Talal El Karkouri spoke to the media ahead of their 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League Week 18 match.
"The players are required to provide the best possible level and maintain the highest levels of concentration in order to collect points.
"A difficult match awaits us against Umm Salal, who have presented distinguished levels in the recent period, and have a good group of players. They are an organized side as well.
"I believe that not all matches will be easy and our last match against Umm Salal in the Ooredoo Cup is evidence of that. The players must be at the top of their concentration, especially since the match is at our stadium and in front of our fans.
"The Al Arabi fans always make a positive difference with the team and everyone knows that fact that they do not need an invitation to support the team. They have never let the players down, so we are required to do our best to make them happy," said Younes.
For his part, El Karkouri said "Facing Al Arabi will be difficult. There is a difference between our match against Al Arabi in the Ooredoo Cup semifinal and the league match.
"Each side aspires to achieve victory and we prepared the team well for the meeting, and we have to play with great caution in view of the strength of the opponents. Therefore focus will be our biggest weapon in this match and we must cope with the developments until we reach the desired goal.
"What matters to us is to be in the best condition, and we respect the opponents and think only of winning. We must focus on the meeting and turn the page on the Al Duhail match in the Ooredoo Cup final. I thank the players for the strong performance and fighting spirit with which they fought the Al Duhail match, and this is what I made sure when I gave guidance to the players. I hope that we will play with the same performance that the team presented in the Al Duhail match.
"All of our players are aware of the situation and want to improve the team's ranking in the league table.
"We seek to avoid relegation, which is my goal with the club's management, and I am confident in the capabilities of my team and their desire to win," said El Karkouri.
Source: Qatar News Agency