Umm Salal coach El Karkouri spoke to the media ahead of their 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League Week 18 match against Al Arabi.

“Facing Al Arabi will be difficult. There is a difference between our match against Al Arabi in the Ooredoo Cup semifinal and the league match.

“Each side aspires to achieve victory and we prepared the team well for the meeting, and we have to play with great caution in view of the strength of the opponents. Therefore focus will be our biggest weapon in this match and we must cope with the developments until we reach the desired goal.

“What matters to us is to be in the best condition, and we respect the opponents and think only of winning. We must focus on the meeting and turn the page on the Al Duhail match in the Ooredoo Cup final. I thank the players for the strong performance and fighting spirit with which they fought the Al Duhail match, and this is what I made sure when I gave guidance to the players. I hope that we will play with the same performance that the team presented in the Al Duhail match.

“All of our players are aware of the situation and want to improve the team’s ranking in the league table.

“We seek to avoid relegation, which is my goal with the club’s management, and I am confident in the capabilities of my team and their desire to win,” said El Karkouri.

Umm Salal goalkeeper Sami Baladi said, “The atmosphere is very wonderful in preparation for facing Al Arabi and we all go into the match with great importance in order to win. Our preparations have been good of late due to the implementation of the plan and the coach’s directions.

“I hope that we will play a strong match against Al Arabi because it is very important, and we are ready technically and physically, due to the importance of the three points.”