Umm Salal coach Pablo Machin spoke to the media ahead of their 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League Week 13 match against Al Shamal.

“After the match (against Al Rayyan), I asked the players to turn the page on the last match, with the need to learn the lessons and benefit from the mistakes so as not to repeat them. I am confident in my team’s capabilities, and facing Al Shamal will be difficult and very important. We seek to achieve the three points, especially since we defeated them in the first half, and we aspire to repeat the victory despite the different circumstances and the improved performance of the teams in the second half of the league.

“We are thinking step by step to improve our position, as the difference between most teams is not big. I followed Al Shamal team in its last match against Al Sadd, and considered it as a strong team with a good coach, which makes the game difficult,” said Machin.

Umm Salal player Antonio Mance said, “The upcoming match against Al Shamal will be difficult because they are in good shape and have a distinguished team and a competent coach, but my colleagues and I are ready for the match. This is an important match for us and now we have to forget the last Al Rayyan match and focus on the Al Shamal match to regain victories.

“We were not lucky against Al Rayyan and it was a difficult day for the team, but we must not repeat the mistakes. Our goal now is to perform strongly and get the three points.

“Everyone in the team will do his best to achieve victory. We know that the match is big and important, and we will strive to appear in the best possible way to please our fans.”