Umm Salal coach Aziz Ben Askar spoke to the media ahead of their 2019-20 QNB Stars League Week 19 match against Qatar SC.

“We know Qatar SC and I respect the work of their coach Wesam Rizik, but I always focus on my team. We play with one target since I came to Umm Salal and we know that all upcoming matches will be difficult.

“Some people talk about the strong comeback of Al Shahania team after its last victory against Al Ahli. I mentioned from the start that we know what we should do, everyone is fighting and we want to stay in the QNB Stars League. We must work more with focus.

“As I mentioned before, nothing has changed and the pressure is normal in our work. What I want from the players is a positive dealing with this big pressure. This is the demand of professional football. All players in the team are professionals and there is nothing easy, the pressure is on all teams.

“In football, every week differs from the other, so this week’s match is a new experience. This match is expected to be a new chapter because both teams want to take points and they are focused to achieve the same target,” said Ben Askar.

Umm Salal player Ayoub Azzi said, “Our preparations for this match were normal. They went off well especially after our game against Al Duhail.

“Now we are preparing to face Qatar SC. We consider it the second final match after Al Duhail. It will be a strong game, we are working with the technical staff and preparing for it well.

“Certainly, every player wants to score goals, it gives him a strong push, but what is important for me is the team’s interest.”