Umm Salal coach Patrice Carteron spoke to the media ahead of their 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League Week 1 match against Al Sadd.

“I wish success and brilliance in a difficult season, and that we appear well and strong. Our preparation for the new season was done well at the overseas camp in Turkey and the team benefited from friendly matches and the good preparation which witnessed great discipline and the desire of the players to be fully prepared before the start of the season.

“We have been following the Al Sadd team through their matches at the King Salman Club Cup recently and we know very well that they are one of the big and strong teams. Hence, we will enter Friday’s match with strength and respect for the opponents. We have a lot of good players and we will play without any pressure in order to do our best. We need to be fully focused,” said Carteron.

Umm Salal player Dutchman Kenji Gorre said, “Al Sadd will be very strong and difficult at the same time, but Umm Salal have prepared for the league strongly and all our players are ready for the big opening meeting. The players are also excited to achieve the desired goal.”