Al Rayyan coach Diego Aguirre spoke to the media ahead of their 2020-21 season QNB Stars League Week 5 match against Al Duhail.

“We understand the importance of this match, and the necessity to win it and obtain the three points. That is how we can keep alive the hopes of getting close to the top.

“The results of last season between Al Rayyan and Al Duhail are past, as many things have changed in the squads of both teams. The upcoming clash will be completely different from last season.

“We must bring out our best performance. I am sure that if we display our best, we will be able to win the match and collect full points.

“Our team has good players and, of course, it needs more additions. But these players are the best in my opinion,” said Aguirre.

Al Rayyan player Gabriel Mercado said, “The match against Al Duhail will be very difficult and winning such matches makes the team among the best and brings it closer to the top.

“Our victory over Al Wakrah in the last round gives the players confidence before facing Al Duhail. Al Rayyan came out of the Al Wakrah match with many positive aspects. Perhaps, the most prominent among them was the good performance of young players, such as Naif Al Hadrami, Mohsen Mekki and Khaled Ali.

“The team has many young players. The ones like Ibrahim Masoud and Mowafak Awad only need more experience.”