Match kick-off at 16:45 Fri, Feb 13th, 2015 in the Grand Hamad stadium

Al Ahli Assistant Coach Khalid Tajj told the assembled media that the recent defeats put more pressure and responsibility on the players and that they now know that the game against Al Gharafa could be one of the more important clashes of their season.  He said that the technical staff was keen to provide the players with the best possible atmosphere after the last defeat against Al Khor.

Tajj said, “There is a change in our technical staff.  We now have a new coach. Al Gharafa is a strong team so we will have to do our best to change the team’s morale and get the team focused once more. This confrontation is not easy especially because Al Gharafa is a tough team with good players, which obliges us to do our best to win.”

The Assistant Coach indicated that the Club’s Administration signed a contract with a new head coach to try and regain the early momentum and the team’s previous status, clarifying that, “This second phase of the league is very tough and each match is worth six points.”

Khalid Tajj wished his team the victory and demanded the players to put all their efforts onto the field of play in order to compensate for the wasted points during the previous matches.
 
 
 
Al Gharafa Brazilian Head Coach Marcos Paquetá pointed out that Al Ahli is unpredictable at the moment and that can make it hard to plan for. He added that the match will be tough as he described Al Ahli as a team of fighters that play to the very last minute.

Paquetá said. “Al-Gharafa team is demonstrating good levels of performance despite their loss to Lekhwiya, this week our team prepared well to achieve the desired result. Lest hope it goes our way.”
 
Paquetá added, “Al Ahli is a very good team with good performances, perhaps the change in the technical staff will boost the players. In terms of injuries, the team captain Bilal Mohamed will undergo a medical to determine his ability to participate in this weekend’s match.”
 
Paquetá stressed the importance of this match as Al-Gharafa will play to win and gain the three points.