Al Gharafa coach Pedro Martins spoke to the media ahead of their 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League Week 14 match against Al Sadd.

“There was a somewhat long period and the preparations are good, and we are still continuing to prepare before the match. The positive thing for the team is the return of Ahmed Alaaeldin and Mustafa Essam, and then the team will compete well in the next match, which is important to us as it gives us many options.

“Al Sadd are one of the best teams in the league and have good players, whether foreign or local professionals, and most of them played in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Al Sadd are the defending champions, but we are ready to look at the match positively.

“We are still working and I am optimistic of achieving a positive result. What matters to us is winning the match and it is important to achieve victory because work after winning becomes easier during the week and everyone is more confident and positive and shows happiness. The situation is completely different when you work after achieving something.

“A victory like the one we scored against a good team like Al Wakrah who have good players and the way we beat them was also important because our level will develop. We have to play with our identity and style in addition to the strategy that we set. We do not have special strategy for any player in the opposing team and what is important is that we must offer more than the competitors,” said Martins.

Al Gharafa player Moayad Hassan said, “It is a match of a special character and we must give off everything we have as we are required to focus highly.

“The battle will continue until the end of the tournament and our victory over Al Sadd will certainly have a positive impact in the following matches. As I mentioned, our matches against Al Sadd have a special character.

“Al Gharafa fans are passionate, and used to championship wins and joy. I urge them to trust us and I hope we will always make them happy.”