Al Shamal coach Poya Asbaghi spoke to the media ahead of their Expo Stars League 2023-2024 season Week 1 match against Al Arabi.

“We are looking forward to a good start in the new season. Despite the difficulty of the contest that awaits us against Al Arabi Club, last season’s runners-up of the league and Amir Cup champions. They have distinguished players with high individual skills in the squad and it will require all our effort from us to challenge them.

“Our preparations have been good both at the overseas camp in Austria and after that. The team has become better than at the beginning of the preparation stage, which lasted nearly a month and a half.”

“The players are excited about the start of the league and we hope to provide what is required at the beginning of the season. I am confident that all our players will not spare any effort to produce their best in this tough match,” said Asbaghi.

Al Shamal player Ricardo Gomes said, “We have been through a good preparation period and have trained well. We had long periods of work and understood our coach's ideas. Also, the players have developed a good bonding especially with the new ones.

“It will definitely be difficult against a strong competitor but we are determined to do our best to get the best result. I hope that our start to the new season will be a distinguished one. It’s a tough contest but we have to be positive and strive for the best and present a good season that satisfies the aspirations of the fans of Al Shamal club.”