Umm Salal coach Patrice Carteron spoke to the media ahead of their 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League Week 7 match against Al Gharafa.

“There is continuous improvement in the league, which makes the match against Al Gharafa difficult, but our players are determined to achieve the best result in this encounter.

“I am very happy with the team’s performance, because we are refreshed and ready to compete again, and we hope to continue in this manner. The team lineup is ready after the players Naim, Badji, Oussama and Edidiong returned and joined training, and we can help them recover well and prepare them for the rest of the season.

“The matches against Al Gharafa are always strong due to both teams’ style of attacking performance. We are looking forward to achieve a positive result  and I am confident in the technical and skill capabilities of the players in order to make a strong appearance.

“The players’ morale is very good and they realize that they are able to provide a good level, after they showed great desire and seriousness in the previous matches, and promised to do their utmost to achieve victory,” said Carteron.

Umm Salal player Marouane Louadni said, “Facing Al Gharafa will be very difficult, especially in view of the team’s situation, their desire to respond and our recent loss in QSL Cup.

“The team will be determined to achieve victory again, especially since the players are fully prepared for the match, and we are working with the coach to correct the mistakes that occurred in the last match in the league, in addition to studying all the strengths and weaknesses of Al Gharafa in order to provide the best. We will work hard to achieve the best, we as players have pledged to give everything we have. We have to put in more effort and work so that we can achieve positive results, because our ambition is to win and be in the best positions, and why not, and we are providing strong performance and high level during this season.”