Al Sailiya coach Sami Trabelsi spoke to the media ahead of their 2021-2022 season QNB Stars League Week 1 match against Al Sadd.

"The pre-season preparations were good and we tried to prepare the squad in the best possible way. We set up our pre-season training camp in a way that we remain sharp and alert. The squad, especially at a physical level, despite the long preparation period, was good and all players made great efforts. I hope we will reap the fruits of this effort in the new season and that this will be reflected in the results of Al Sailiya.

"We enter the new season with determination and ambition to achieve better results than we did in the previous seasons. Our goal is to present a special season. We expect our new players to be a great addition to us in the new season. Al Sadd are one of the best teams on the Asian continent and no one disagrees with that, but in football everything is possible. The first match at the beginning of the new season is always difficult for all sides.

"This year, we have a good balance of players and we have solutions for all positions. The coming period will be difficult for all clubs due to the weather and the pressure of so many matches at the start but I hope that we will get out there with the least damage in terms of injuries.

"I have a great ambition to win titles. Every coach aspires to achieve titles with his team, but we must be realistic and we still do not have the tools that could make us talk with confidence about competing for the title. We have quality players on the bench who can make the difference. We have players who can make a big impact," said Trabelsi.

Al Sailya player Majdi Siddiq said, "The preparations went off well as usual and we were strong at the technical, physical and tactical levels. We worked hard to start well in the new season. We hope to be ready and to appear in the best shape for the new season. We had great team bonding in the pre-season training camp.

"The new players joined and trained with us. To be successful at the beginning of a new season is always very important, especially when you are playing a big team like Al Sadd. Everyone knows who Al Sadd are, but at the beginning of the journey, we may be able to achieve a positive result that could be the strong push we need in the upcoming matches.”