Al Markhiya coach Madjid Bougherra spoke to the media ahead of their 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League match against Al Gharafa postponed from Week 13.

“We realize that the match will not be easy and we must be extremely focused and maintain the confidence that the team showed during the past rounds.

“We know that Al Gharafa are fighting for the title and they will go into the match with a great motivation to win and achieve success in the league, and we in turn are fighting and trying to succeed and stay in the league, God-willing.

“I am not surprised regarding the performance because we made some changes during the winter transfers. The team’s ranks were not complete during the preparation period and when you want to build something you need some time, and I told the players I trust them and that they have the quality to do this. It depends on them and the fighting spirit on the field, and the most important thing is to think as one team, and this is what they did in most of the matches, but not all of them.

“We need to pay attention to the physical aspects because during the first week after the end of Ramadan, the players may feel some fatigue, and this is something we must take care of. Thank God, this time all things are good, the team’s ranks are complete and we are working hard to face Al Gharafa,” said Bougherra.

Al Markhiya player Abdulrahman Mohammed said, “The next match against Al Gharafa is crucial and the team must fight to win and collect three points in order to strengthen the team’s hope of remaining in the league.

“The team is working to prepare for the match in the required manner and the players are extremely focused on implementing all of the technical staff’s ideas.

“The team had determination and persistence in the last round and we are looking forward to continue this performance against Al Gharafa, score victory and progress in the table.”