Al Arabi coach Cosmin Contra spoke to the media ahead of their 2026-2027 season Doha Bank Stars League Week 8 match against Al Rayyan.

“Derby matches against Al Rayyan always carry a special significance and intense rivalry. We are well aware of the scale of the challenge that awaits us. We approach this encounter with high focus and an increased sense of responsibility to deliver a performance worthy of the team’s identity. Big matches at this critical stage of the league demand the utmost discipline and leave no room for errors.

“We have turned the page on the last round and our full focus is now on preparing for this top-tier clash. The current league standings leave no margin to drop any points. Facing a side like Al Rayyan requires us to play with a fighting spirit and tactical discipline to secure a victory that will provide a significant boost for the remainder of our campaign,” said Cosmin.

Al Arabi player Michael Olunga said, “We must move past the recent defeat and focus entirely on securing points in the high-stakes match against Al Rayyan. The players are prepared to deliver a strong performance to remain in contention.”