Al Duhail coach Hernan Crespo spoke to the media ahead of their 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League Week 4 match against Al Gharafa.

“The players are performing recovery exercises after our return from Tajikistan and we are still waiting for the injured to return, and a big match against Al Gharafa awaits us. We know that we will face a strong team and we will work hard to achieve victory over them.

“We are still at the beginning of the season and our ranks are almost complete. We are only missing Edmilson and Diallo, but we must be patient and deal realistically.

“In the previous match in the league against Al Arabi, we faced a fierce competitor who succeeded in tying with us in the last minute of the match and with a penalty kick. And in our first match in the AFC Champions League, we were the best on the field, but we still need improvement in ending the attack.

“Regarding the participation of new player (Philippe) Coutinho, I met the player two days ago while he was performing rehabilitation exercises and his participation with us will be determined by the doctor. Certainly, his participation will add a lot to the team,” said Crespo.

Al Duhail player Ruben Semedo said, “We are preparing for the match, which will not be easy at all because we will face a team that has players with distinguished levels, but we will enter the field in order to limit their abilities and achieve victory.

“My full focus is with the team. We are doing a good job and there is great confidence in the players, but I do not look at my individual performance. Rather I look at the group in general and my brilliance and achieving positive results makes me happy and I will work hard to help my team achieve victories.”