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

“When you prepare for an important match and you lose a match in which you had great ambitions to reach the final, of course it will not be easy, but we seek to react properly. Fast because our goal is to stay in the top four.

“I watched twice our last match against Al Shahaniya in the Amir Cup and I watched the Al Duhail vs Al Sailiya match as well. I found that we went through the same scenario in terms of the many opportunities that were available to us and Al Duhail, but we lacked the required effectiveness in such matches, so we in the team need a quick reaction and I think the players will do that because it is an important match for us.

“It will be difficult and, as I mentioned before the Umm Salal match, we have final matches ahead and we know that Al Duhail are a good team and that they are in first place and they deserve it. I ask our players to focus from the first minute and to fight to win this very important match for us.

“There are still doubts about the participation of Abdullah Al Saei and we will see if it is possible to participate or not for him, and also the player Farid Wilayat. He is in good condition now and I hope that nothing will happen until the date of the match,” said Martins.

Al Gharafa player Yacine Brahimi said, “We are sad at losing to Al Sailiya and not achieving our goal of winning. We must focus in the Al Duhail match.

“An important match awaits us against a very good team, especially after the two teams were eliminated from the Amir Cup. Therefore, each team will seek a great reaction and I expect it to be a great and physically strong match, so we have to be ready to present our best possible performance.

“I thank our fans for supporting the team. The last match was very difficult, we need our fans’ support in the remaining four matches and everyone should join hands until the end of the season.”