Al Duhail coach Hernan Crespo spoke to the media ahead of their 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League Week 19 match against Al Gharafa.

“We have another opportunity to show the team’s identity and overcome what happened against Al Sailiya in the quarterfinals of Amir Cup. It was a nightmare after the team performed well, but we lost out on penalties. Now, we will face a great team, Al Gharafa, and after that we will face Al Rayyan.

“Our players have shown professionalism since the start of the season and succeeded in appearing well in all rounds of the league and other competitions and were up to the responsibility. Even in our match against Al Sailiya, we deserved to win.

“Now is another tournament and the players are thirsty for victory in the league, which we did not win in recent seasons. It will be the culmination of the players’ efforts after the good performance they showed throughout the season.

“I fully trust the players and know that they will perform well in the next match, and I also know that Al Arabi are chasing us and they need to win all their remaining matches in order to catch up with us. We, in turn, will provide all the performance that guarantees us winning the league title,” said Crespo.

Al Duhail player Ferjani Sassi said, “An important match awaits us against the distinguished Al Gharafa team and the league is now in its final stages, as we have only five matches left. We will play them as if they were cup finals and we will only accept victory.

“We competed for championships this season and, so far, we have succeeded in winning two titles and we lost out on the Amir Cup.”

“My level is constant in all matches and in every game. I do everything that can help the team achieve victory, but I find my comfort in big matches such as our matches against Al Sadd because the game in them is open and I can perform well unlike other matches.

“I was not satisfied with my level, but I am trying to do the best and I will do everything necessary until I win the league title with my colleagues.”