Umm Salal take on El Jaish on Saturday with both sides out of form. Umm Salal coach Mahmoud Al Jaber spoke to the media at the prematch press conference. 

Opening up the press conference the Egyptian coach noted that two returning players will be a major boost for his side. “El Jaish are a strong side in the league, we are coming into the game after a defeat. We have been  poor in recent weeks, I hope in the next two games we can compensate especially with Sagbo and Mahmoud Al-Mawas the absence of both players effected the squad. We hope their return will uplift the fortunes of the side”

“We have trained hard this week, and we have focus on the errors that El Jaish have shown in in recent weeks. We need to make a difference in attack in this game, and I feel that we can do this. We have to be more effective when it matters in attack.” added the Egyptian coach at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday morning. 

Al Jaber ended the press conference noting that his side are still looking at players in the transfer market. “The club management are looking at new players to strengthen the side at the moment. We have a week left and I am sure that we will add a few new faces to strengthen the squad.” 

Whilst for El Jaish, they have struggled in recent weeks and have slipped to fourth in the QSL standings. Head coach Sabri Lamouchi spoke to the media ahead of the game. 

“It’s a tough game for us, we have not started 2017 in a right way and we need to look to improve against Umm Salal” noted the French coach at the pre match press conference on Wednesday morning. 

Lamouchi reflected that his side could have done better during their 4-1 defeat to rivals Al Rayyan. “The performance was good but the result not so much. We will have Romarinho &  Al Jaber returning for us yet Mohammad Mothnani and Yasser Abubakar will be suspended so again we will have to look at how my side plays.”

Jaish continue to have injury and suspension issues having to the game, and the French coach stressed that he has been doing his best in recent weeks. “Matches against Umm Salal know it’s always a tough game, my players have been ready . We will be trying to get the maximum points. I am the coach of El Jaish, if we have any problem it is down to me. We have problems with injuries and suspension and I have been finding solutions every week.”

Lamouchi ended the press conference praising the efforts of his thread bare squad. “The players are all together and we have fought well and we will be fighting till the very end to reach our goals this season, right now that is being in the top four places.All I know is that we need the victory. My players have been playing well and they don’t deserve to be in the position that they are currently in now at the moment."