Umm Salal coach Ruben Albes spoke to the media ahead of their 2025-2026 Doha Bank Stars League Week 18 match against Al Sadd.

“We have prepared the team well for the encounter and we aim to give our best on the pitch, especially since Al Sadd are a strong and difficult team, currently leading the league, and boasting top-level players and a top-level coach.

“All players have been participating in training and have adapted to the conditions. The focus during this period has been on commitment and discipline within the team.

“The team’s recent positive results give the players a strong incentive to continue working with the same confidence, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the level the team has shown recently, especially given the challenges they face in the league,” said Ruben Albes.

Umm Salal player Naim Laidouni said, “The match against Al Sadd will be tough and challenging, the team is highly focused on this game and hopes to achieve a positive result.

“We understand the importance of the match and the strength of the opponents, but we will do everything we can to achieve a result that benefits the team.

“The players dealt professionally with the break as the team continued its training with great seriousness in preparation for the Al Sadd match. Everyone is working with a unified spirit to implement the instructions of the coaching staff and achieve a positive result in the upcoming game.”