Al Rayyan and Shabab Al Ahli coaches and players spoke to the media on Wednesday ahead of their Thursday’s Challenge Shield in the Qatar-UAE Super Cup 2025.

Al Rayyan coach Artur Jorge said, “My project with Al Rayyan is a long one, this season we have five months and my goal is to win one of the trophies. We know that the difference in points in the league championship is big, but we seek to reach one of the top places in the standings, we are in the stage of developing the team and getting to know the players. During this teamwork, we succeeded in winning with a big score against Umm Salal team in Week 12 of the league.

“It is a great thing to reach this stage and now we play for a title, but this is a responsibility for the technical staff, the coach and the players. It is a strong challenge and it is one of my goals to achieve a title.

“I know Paulo Sousa, the coach of the Shabab Al Ahli team very well, his capabilities and his professional career, and I know the rivals and the team’s collective and individual capabilities. The good thing is that our team’s mentality is to achieve victory without looking at the opponents. The players need the support of the fans who give them strength inside the stadium and winning this match will give a great motivation to the team, especially since it would be for a title.”

Al Rayyan player Andre Amaro said, “Our last match against Umm Salal was great and the victory was well deserved, but winning does not mean completeness. During this week, we implemented what the coach asked of us and we corrected some mistakes. We will enter the next match with a winning mentality and take the positive things from the last match and at the same time work to correct the flaws.

“The new coach has come with new ideas and we will face the rivals with enthusiasm, ferocity and without fear,” he added.

Shabab Al Ahli’s Portuguese coach Paulo Sousa, said, “I am happy to be in Doha and it is also a great thing to be at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, and for me this is a very important and big match and it will be competitive and at a high level. Each team will work hard to win and be crowned with the Challenge Shield.

“The match will be decided on small details. This is how the finals are, and from our side we need to be at the highest levels of focus and work well and give our best to achieve what is required.

“The players and everyone have the passion and desire to win the title. We have great enthusiasm and look forward to this match with great anticipation and caution. We need to provide a strong level of performance. We seek to develop ourselves more during this stage and it is certain that every match we play will be difficult and strong.”

Shabab Al Ahli player Saeed Ezzat said, “We respect Al Rayyan and we know the team and their players and how strong they are, but we have one goal which is to win all the championships and compete for the titles.

“We have six championships, we have to be at the peak of focus during the season in order to achieve aspirations and ambitions. Al Rayyan are strong rivals and the game against them will be difficult. All players must be ready and we must all give our best.

“It is one match and we look forward to win the Challenge Shield, but the task will not be easy as I mentioned. We have a strong bench and we need everyone this season because of the championships and titles that we seek,” he added.