Umm Salal coach Patrice Carteron spoke to the media ahead of their 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League Week 8 match against Muaither.

“It will be a difficult and strong match from which we need full points, and our competitor needs to advance in the standings. The game will be strong and decisive, and we will strive for victory.

“The team gave a strong performance in the matches against Al Rayyan and Al Wakrah and we did not deserve to lose because we gave a great performance, but the loss came which no one wished for, so we were not lucky in the two matches. We played a big and strong match against Al Rayyan, and the same against Al Wakrah and it was possible to get a point or three points, but we were not lucky. We have to go into the Muaither match with all strength and focus, and I have great confidence in the players because they are giving everything they can in order to achieve good results.

“I am trying hard for my team to return with full force to victories because Umm Salal perform strongly. We will do our best to ensure that my team is as prepared as possible,” said Carteron.

Umm Salal player Abdulrahman Raafat said, “We have a difficult match ahead of us. We need points in all matches to improve our position and we are capable of achieving victory. All players realize the importance of the Muaither match and we must enter it with strength and great focus because the competitor is also seeking to win.

“There is no easy match in the league and all matches are difficult, and all teams strive to win and provide the best, and we are responsible and capable of achieving victory.”