Al Gharafa coach Slavisa Jokanovic spoke to the media ahead of their 2020-21 season QNB Stars League Week 1 match against Qatar SC.

“This (starting the new season immediately after the previous one) is a new experience for us and for all clubs. We certainly realise the importance of a positive start because we will need points at the end of the season.

“We have not made many changes to the squad from last season. We are ready to do better than last season and look forward to competing strongly and achieving better results.

“We have seen how Qatar SC performed last season and we are following the developments that have happened there. We know that they have lost the services of some players, while some other players, including Sardor Rashidov, will continue with the team. He is one of their most important players.

“But in the first place, we must pay attention to our style of play and focus on what we want from the match. If the Qatar SC team plays in a different way than we know, then we should do our duty and provide solutions,” said Jokanovic.

Al Gharafa player Sofiane Hanni said, “We have the ambition and desire to present our best in the new season. The first match always has special importance and therefore we must prepare well and fight it out, especially since we are facing a difficult opponent. We have to focus on our capabilities and play our game.”