We started the season with new challenges, hopes and aspirations

 We take it step by step and target maximum number of points

 We’re on the right track and my main objective is to do well with the team

 I do my duties for the team and technical staff under Marquez Lopez are doing a good job

 I’m happy to be a part of QNB Stars League, which is highly-competitive

 

Jacinto Dala is synonym for consistency as he continues from where he left off last season. Al Wakrah’s star Angolan forward means business when it comes to scoring ever since he joined them on a loan deal from Portuguese club Rio Ave at the start of last season.

Al Wakrah, who finished in a creditable third position last season, have had a strong start in the 2022-2023 QNB Stars League (10 points from four matches – three victories and a draw).

Dala, who has an uncanny ability to convert half-chances to goals and has also been providing crucial passes, is presently leading the scorers’ chart with six goals, continuing the form that saw him score 12 goals in last season’s league championship.

Dala spoke to Qatar Stars League website in an Exclusive Interview, on the sidelines of 2022-2023 season Media Day.

Excerpts:

 Al Wakrah, who finished third last season, have had a strong start to the 2022-2023 QNB Stars League. Your views?

New season brings new challenges, hopes and aspirations. We embarked on the new edition of QNB Stars League with the same attitude like last season, where we got a third-place finish. We’ve our objectives, but we take it game by game. We target maximum points from each match.

 

 

What’s the feeling in the team camp after the first few rounds of QNB Stars League action?

We couldn’t have hoped for a better start than we had, as we beat title favourites Al Duhail in the opening round. We were then held by Al Gharafa to a draw, but we could beat Umm Salal and Qatar SC.

Every member of the team believes we’re on the right track with the feeling ‘well begun is half done’. We already have 10 points from four matches.

 How do you look at the competitive level of QNB Stars League?

It’s a highly-competitive league with an array of foreign and Qatari stars, and I’m happy to be a part of it and representing Al Wakrah. I know that many players want to come here and play in the Qatar league.

For me, I enjoy every game. Having been able to score goals in a consistent manner is an extra motivation for me to keep going strong.

 You’ve been outstanding right throughout your stint in Al Wakrah. How do you keep yourself in good form? Do you undergo any special training?

I train hard and play hard. Special focus is given to training sessions. That’s what prepare us to face any situation on the pitch. The technical staff, led by coach Marquez Lopez, are doing a commendable job on that front.

 You’re already topping the league chart of scorers with six goals. Have you set yourself the target of being the top scorer at the end of this season’s QNB Stars League?

Not really. My first target is to excel with the team. Nothing matters to me more than the team’s interests. We’ve got a very good group of players this time as well. I’m happy to be continuing like this and contributing to the team’s cause – winning as many matches as possible and collect as many points as possible.