Umm Salal striker Ismail Mahmoud spoke of the importance of their next game versus Al Ahli in Round 9 of the Qatar Stars League. The match is to be played November 20.

He explained that the team was keen to benefit from the league break due to international matches and that he hoped this would help them finish in the top four.



Ismail Mohamed spoke to the QSL Online and said, “The Al Ahli fixture won’t be easy, especially because Al Ahli is one of the fiercest teams and they achieved good results in previous Rounds. They are a complete team with a good combination of foreign and local players.”

Ismail indicated that the reason behind not playing any friendlies during the stoppage period was due to the technical staff wanting to rehabilitate injured players in order for them to join the team once the league resumes. 

Ismail Mahmoud pointed out that the first aim of the football team is to be among the top four teams in addition to winning one of the titles this season. He added: “We might have a small chance of winning the Qatar Stars League, but we are looking to do well in the Qatar Cup or Emir Cup. Umm Salal is different this season after bringing in some good players.”

Ismail Mohamed indicated that he hopes to do well this season and finish at the top goal-scorer standings.

“I scored two goals for Umm Salal this season and the top goal-scorer award isn’t far from me hopefully. However my main ambition is to help my team and that’s why I am thinking about my personal ambition to win the top goal-scorer award because this would also help my team.”

Ismail Mahmoud concluded his talk with QSL Online by saying that the competition for the league title was fierce this season, and that Al Rayyan fans have given the league a much needed boost.