Al Rayyan coach Younes Ali spoke to the media ahead of their 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League Week 6 match against Al Arabi.

“The Al Arabi match is important against a strong competitor and the matches between the two teams are always not subject to prior standards or results, and it is a match in the league for three points and in order to improve the team’s position in the league championship.

“The period in which I took over the team is short and I saw that the players have keenness and seriousness to appear in the best way, and the team is fully prepared to appear in a good way befitting the name of Al Rayyan club in the upcoming match.

“This is a new challenge in my home, Al Rayyan club, and I am looking for their return to their normal position by winning championships. Our focus now is on the Al Arabi match only and then we focus on the match against Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia in the AFC Champions League Elite.

“We have good and great players who are able to make a difference. After the Al Arabi and Al Nassr matches, there will be a break during which we will work on adding our ideas and style. During the current period, there will be no major change. I am counting on the great players and exploiting their capabilities, such as Trezeguet, Bencharki, Guedes and Pereira…

“Al Rayyan are a big team and a popular club, and the requirements are great. The team’s previous results were not up to the level of ambition, and the team is able to return to its normal position and improve its path locally and in Asia,” said Younes.

Al Rayyan player Achraf Bencharki said, “The players know the importance of Al Rayyan vs Al Arabi derby and we are looking for the three points to improve the position of the team that works together to improve the results.

“The Al Arabi match is played on three points, which is the most important for us and we aim to achieve victory and improve the team’s position in the standings.”