Al Rayyan coach Nicolas Cordova spoke to the media ahead of their 2021-2022 season QNB Stars League Week 22 match against Al Shamal.

“Al Shamal got more rest than us because they had not played for a week and it will be an important match for us.

“The last match was better than our previous matches and the team was more organized on the field. We made a special effort, and know that matches must be won to achieve the desired result. Not just performance will do and we must keep working to achieve victory.

“The important thing is that there will be time for training and this is what we have been missing during the last period – training regularly and preparing for a week before the match,” said Cordova.

Al Rayyan player Mohammed Juma said, “We must beat Al Shamal in order to boost the team’s morale after a series of bad results.

“The team is developing with the new coach, especially in the last three games. We will focus in the coming period on the Ooredoo Cup and AFC Champions League, having made out exit from the Amir Cup and got bad results in the league. This season is considered as a sad season for Al Rayyan.”