Al Rayyan coach Leonardo Jardim spoke to the media ahead of their 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League Week 16 match against Al Wakrah.

“Al Wakrah are having a good season and succeeded in achieving victory over Al Rayyan during the match between the two teams in the first leg.

“As for our players, Rodrigo Moreno will be absent due to injury and Ahmed Al Menhali is suspended, and the players who will play in this match will give everything they have.

“The pressure will be on us because of playing on our home field, so we have to win the three points to continue the victories.

“I thank our fans for their wonderful attendance during the last match against Al Arabi, which contributed greatly to achieving the victory.

“I thank both teams for the great performance they gave during the match, as there was a desire from both of them to achieve three points. I also praise the refereeing,” said Jardim.

Al Rayyan player Achraf Bencharki said, “Praise be to God, since the resumption of league after break, we have succeeded in obtaining six points and this is the result of a great effort by the players, the technical staff and the fans, who had the greatest role in instilling enthusiasm and strength on the field. We always need all the players, and when one or two players are absent, we are not affected because we play as a team. Any player who participates has the same motivation and enthusiasm to achieve three points.

“The Al Wakrah match will be strong like all matches, and there are always surprises, as there is no big team and a small team, and our goal as a group is always to achieve victory and make the fans happy.”