Al Shahania close out the QSL weekends action with a home match against Umm Salal. New Shahania boss Igor Štimac spoke to the media ahead of the game. 

Opening up the press conference Štimac stated that his side are moving in the right direction. “We our working hard to see how my side improves. My players are reacting well, the atmosphere in the dressing room is positive now and it’s now a case of building momentum for the next matches.”

Despite drawing against Muaither last time out, the Croatian tactician believes his side will get back to winning ways against Umm Salal. “We where lucky in the last game in conceding the penalty, but we did well overall against Muaither now we must build from the positive result. I strongly believe my team is ready to start winning games, and I believe that will start on Saturday against Umm Salal.”



Ending the press conference Štimac noted that he was enjoying life with Al Shahania. “Winning games is the most positive thing we can get. It gives extra motivation and stimulation to the players. Our optimism is based on our good work, we have good professional players and important young players, I am enjoying working with them.”

Whilst for Umm Salal they come into the match on Saturday evening off the back of a narrow 1-0 defeat to Al Rayyan. Umm Salal boss Mahmoud Jaber spoke to the media ahead of the game. 

Opening up the press conference the Egyptian coach noted that his side face a challenge ON Saturday “Shahania will not be a easy team. All the teams fighting for survival will be tough for us right now. The league is open this season in all areas of the standings, I am expecting a battle against Al Shahania. 

Umm Salal will be without Yannick Sagbo and Mahmoud Al-Mawas for this cruch game, however Jaber insists that his side can more than make up from their absences. “The players who played Al Rayyan did well, we have absences for the game but I will trust my squad to play. Right now, we are missing many players but I am relying on our fighting spirit and quality to make up for these absences.”

“We have to go step by step. Our aim now is to be comfortable in the league and avoid the relegation fight” added Jaber when asked about his sides aims for the second half of the season.