Umm Salal midfielder Ismail Mahmoud believes that Umm Salal must have a strong start to the season if his side is to push on to better their fifth placed finish last term, the former El Jaish player chatting to QSL online on the sidelines of the QSL media day event.

“We have to belive that we can push on and get into the top four after the season we had last year.This season will be a challenge, just like any other but I feel that we are well placed at Umm Salal to continue our good form.” Admitted the battling midfielder.

Mahmoud also revealed that his side must start well in the league, starting in their first match of the season against Al Khor. “We have to start strongly; no doubt we must have points on the board and push for our goal in the second half of the season.”

Talk turned to Umm Salal’s preseason preparations which Mahmoud confessed went well under head coach Bülent Uygun. “We trained hard and the group is in good spirits, the club management did well in bringing in strong players to help us compete this year.”