Umm Salal coach Patrice Carteron spoke to the media ahead of their 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League match against Qatar SC postponed from Week 13.

“Certainly, we are facing a very important confrontation, as it is considered one of the strongest matches played by us, just like the matches of Al Rayyan, Al Gharafa and Al Sadd. Al Arabi is a strong team and we played more than one match with them this season, in addition to their high morale after they won the Qatar Super Cup, where they gave a great performance. I watched the match from the stadium and took the opportunity to congratulate Al Arabi.

“Al Arabi’s matches with Umm Salal witness competition and excitement inside and outside the field, and it is important after the draw with Al Gharafa in the last round and the team getting a point. We made a strong show against them and this represents an important milestone for us. We are ready to give our best in order to win. Three points and a strong end to the season. It is important for the players to redouble their efforts and provide the best levels on the field to win the three points.

“We have many players with experience and a professional mentality, and we play every match with special calculations, and we must focus on facing Al Arabi to get the three points,” said Carteron.

Umm Salal player Oussama Tannane said, “Facing Al Arabi will be difficult for both parties and not just for us. The team will face Al Arabi with a different mentality and high spirit after the recent draw with Al Gharafa, as this tie gave the team great confidence enabling it to continue in the game and to give better performance to win match points.

“We will do everything in our power to present a worthy match of Umm Salal and score points, but we have to perform as the team did in the last round.

“My fellow players and I have pledged to finish the competition well and give every effort in the next three matches and finish the season in the best positions.”