Al Ahli coach Khaled Taj spoke to the media ahead of their 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League Week 4 match against Umm Salal.

“We worked during the last period to prepare the players and all team members to provide a distinguished level in the league and forget the past results. We were in continuous training and working hard, and are looking forward to victories.

“There is great enthusiasm in the players and a desire to change the team’s position in the league and provide the best level in the next stage. Facing Umm Salal will be a turning point for the team and we expect a satisfactory result for our fans.

“I am not a stranger to Al Ahli club through my work over the past years with coach (Milan) Macala. Now I have assumed technical responsibility due to my great knowledge of the club, the capabilities of the players and my confidence in the technical work I do with my assistants.

“Regarding the signing of German star Julian Draxler, it was a special deal for which we thank the club management, headed by Mr. Abdullah Yousef Al Mulla. The player has a high technical value that will add a lot to the team in the next stage,” said Khaled Taj.

Al Ahli player Yazan Al Naimat said, “We are ready to play the league matches in a better way than earlier in order to achieve victories after stumbling at the beginning of the league in three matches.

“As players, we realize the importance of presenting a distinguished level to achieve victory and the beginning of a new phase in which we appear in a different way and achieve victory.

“A major change in the training programme being made by the technical staff led by Khaled Taj will reap the benefits in the next match against Umm Salal and the rest of the league matches. As players, we feel enthusiastic and have a great desire to be back on the right track in the competition.”