Al Duhail coach Hernan Crespo spoke to the media ahead of their 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League Week 1 match against Al Ahli.

“The league starts and all the clubs have experienced major changes in their players, which is what happened to us. Professionals have gone from us and others have come, which means that we are rebuilding the team again. I’m optimistic about the team's ability to make a good appearance, especially since we will face a team that succeeded in creating difficulties for us last season in our first match.

“The competition will be difficult for everyone, and we are working hard to be strong competitors in all tournaments.

“I am very happy with the performance that the players put up during the period of the training camp abroad, the hard work they put in, and the clear desire of everyone to appear as required. Even after our return, it was clear that the players were focused and had a competitive spirit, which would make us enter the competition with full force,” said Crespo.

Al Duhail player Sultan Al Breik said, “A long and arduous season awaits us, and we will go through it with the same ambition. Our goals for the season are clear, which is to compete for all championships, and we will certainly try to retain the league title.

“The increase in the number of foreign professionals for clubs will make the season look different from previous seasons and it will certainly enrich the competition.

“There are changes in the team, but the external camp contributed greatly to achieving adaptation among all players.”