Al Arabi coach Younes Ali spoke to the media ahead of their 2021-2022 season QNB Stars League Week 1 match against Al Wakrah.

“We faced some challenges, but the team is ready for the start of the season and we are eagerly waiting for the start of our next match. We are ready to meet Al Wakrah in the first round of QNB Stars League.

“The preparations for the first match were normal. Al Wakrah have administrative and technical stability for a while, and personally I am sure that the players are excited for this match and fully prepared to face them.

“I think Al Wakrah are a good team and we have to play against them seriously. Although I am sure the players are ready and prepared for the next match, we must show respect for the opponents and focus on playing real football.

“We have Marc Muniesa injured and the team ranks will be completed with Ahmed Suhail and Yousef Msakni joining the training and everyone is ready for the match,” said Younes.

Al Arabi player Ahmed Fathy said, “We are ready to face Al Wakrah and the team’s preparations for the new football season went off as required, starting with the Doha camp, during the overseas camp in Spain and training before the start of the season. Everyone worked with high team spirit in order to achieve the desired goals in the current season. There is development in performance and the atmosphere was comforting and reassuring.

“Al Wakrah are an organized team and it will not be an easy match, especially since it is at the beginning of the season. They have technical stability in terms of players and coach, but the most important thing is that we are psychologically and physically ready for the match and are able to achieve a positive result.”