Al Sailiya coach Sami Trabelsi spoke to the media ahead of their 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League Week 4 match against Umm Salal.

“Umm Salal are a good side even though they lacked some harmony between the players. Despite the poor results at the beginning of the league, Umm Salal remain a strong team and the capabilities of their players allow them to be in a better position, so the game will be very difficult for both teams.

“I thank the Al Sailiya management and we have been one family for years. The current circumstance does not allow me to stay away from the team, but what happened and the reaction after our match against Qatar SC was not as portrayed by some. It is a personal problem. Rather, I have priority for the players and the club in the first place. It is not that Sami Trabelsi does not have ethics after 10 years with Al Sailiya and looks for personal matters. I thank once again the management of Al Sailiya club and some officials from outside the club for their position.

“Iraqi striker Mohanad Ali’s injury caused a great shock to me, especially since he has a great position, and at a personal level, he is wonderful and distinguished as well. He had hope that he would return to his level and achieve his ambition. It is certainly difficult to replace the quality of the player easily and we are in the process of contracting with a player after we obtain approval,” said Trabelsi.

Al Sailiya player Saad Al Sowan said, “Umm Salal match is very important and it will be a strong game. We must focus well, especially in the final touch, in order to achieve our goal, which is three points, to improve our ranking.

“I am in the service of the team in any position that coach Sami Trabelsi sees, whether in the middle or defence, and the important thing is that the results must improve and we get a positive result from the next match.”