Al Wakrah coach Marquez Lopez spoke to the media ahead of their 2020-21 season QNB Stars League Week 14 match against Umm Salal.

“It is not easy for a team to score four goals in 10 minutes, this is something I have not seen in my life, but it is possible. And it was a bad day for us, our start was bad on the field and the opponent was strong, but it is possible that in another match we will be in the same condition, but we do not score four goals. This is football and the important thing now is for the players to regain confidence and stay focused on the game.

“This season is very difficult for Al Wakrah. We played 13 games and could not substitute players. We did not have a striker, winger or left-back, and this is not easy. But so far we have 13 points. And now we have got new players. The team’s shape and starting XI may change and this gives the coach the opportunity to rest the players, which we had not been able to do due to the lack of alternatives.

“The Al Wakrah management has done a good job contracting these players and now we have time for the new players to get along.

“Currently, Umm Salal and Al Wakrah have the same number of points, and on top of them there are three teams with a difference of three or four points, and there are two teams behind us with six points and seven points, so it is an important match and we must maintain calm. I think this season is difficult. We have to be calm while facing Umm Salal,” said Marquez.

Al Wakrah player Lucas Mendes said, “The next match against Umm Salal will be difficult. They know that they are not good at the moment, so they will look to collect the three points from this match, which is very important to them.

“In our last match against Al Duhail, we conceded a goal after one minute and the second goal after two minutes, and this is difficult, and I think we were not fully focused in that match. Now we have to turn a new page and focus on facing Umm Salal.”