Al Rayyan coach Leonardo Jardim spoke to the media ahead of their 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League Week 6 match against Umm Salal.

“The team’s preparations to face Umm Salal during the past three weeks were not at the best level due to the absence of more than half of the team due to their presence with the national teams.

“The match will be difficult because the competitors are playing strongly. Our goal in this match is to achieve victory and thus return to the winning path in the Expo Stars League.

“I have confidence in the players, their development and the work we do, but in the absence of many players, the work becomes more difficult. This is what happened during the past three weeks, so I will work to boost the morale of the players,” said Jardim.

Al Rayyan goalkeeper Fahad Younis said, “There are no easy matches. Umm Salal, in their last matches, produced positive results and are a tough team.

“I think the match will be difficult, but we have a goal and we are striving to achieve it, which is to return to the winning path, especially after the loss in the previous match and after the break.

“The players are professionals and after returning from national duty, they give everything they have to the club and are capable of achieving three points.

“Joining the team is a great honour and pride, and I hope to have a role with the team. It gives me more motivation and I gain more experience, and I help my team achieve its goals. As for the fans, we miss them, and we hope that they will be present in this match in large numbers.”