Umm Salal coach Patrice Carteron spoke to the media ahead of their 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League Week 20 match against Al Gharafa.

“Facing Al Gharafa requires a high concentration of players and we go into the match with the team spirit that we were accustomed to before. Umm Salal finished last season with 18 points, so obtaining 20 points so far with several matches remaining will push us forward, especially since the team played a great match against Al Rayyan and could have achieved a good result had it not been for the circumstances.

“A decline in performance is normal and common in football, and we must return to what we were before, especially since Umm Salal youth have great potential, and we can achieve fifth place if we achieve good results during the coming period.

“The Al Gharafa match is extremely important for both teams mainly because the opponent is a good team, and the match will be difficult and requires us to be at the highest levels of concentration and with the same spirit with which we fought some matches in order to achieve a positive result.

“Al Gharafa are a big team and are favourites in this match. For this reason, we can still play without any pressure. The most important thing in such matches is the result and to give our best and end the season on a better note,” said Carteron.

Umm Salal player Kenji Gorre said, “The Al Gharafa match is very important and we respect the opponents, and the match will be difficult for both team. We are ready and will make every effort to get the three points, which will be important for the team. It is clear that we are going through a difficult time regarding results. We are unlucky not to have won some matches, but we will enter the match with Al Gharafa with great strength and focus, and we will come back and be the best.

“We also seek to advance further and improve our position in the standings, and we have the confidence that enables us to enter every match strongly until the end of league championship.”