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<p>QNB Stars League side Umm Salal tightened up their defence by roping in Anderson Conceicao Benedito in the winter transfer window this season.</p><p>The 29-year-old Brazilian brought with him a wealth of experience having donned the jerseys of a host of clubs during his senior career that spans a decade.</p><p>In an Exclusive Interview with QSL Online, Anderson gives his takes on a vast number of topics.</p><p><strong>How do you find your stint in Qatar?</strong></p><p>My main mission in Qatar is to do a great job at Umm Salal along with my team-mates within this short period of my contract. I really want to help Umm Salal go forward.</p><p><strong>How’s the level of competition in the QNB Stars League?</strong></p><p>The level of competition in the QNB Stars League is getting stronger. All teams are competitive. Top sides are vying for honours and the bottom-rung ones are fighting to stay in the First Division.</p><p><strong>What difference do you feel playing for Umm Salal?</strong></p><p>I don’t feel any difference. Instead, I feel so well adapted to the club in such a short time.</p><p><strong>Having joined Umm Salal in the January transfer window, how do you expect to contribute to the side?</strong></p><p>Yes, I arrived in Doha in the January transfer window with many expectations, mainly to help my team Umm Salal.</p><p><strong>Do you believe you can make a turnaround in the team’s fortunes?</strong></p><p>Yes, we do have a team with a lot of qualities. I strongly believe that we’ll achieve our goals in the end.</p><p><strong>How do you assess Umm Salal’s performance? You’re ninth in the standings with 20 points…</strong></p><p>We know that we’ve to achieve victories. We dropped points on too many occasions.</p>
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<p><strong>Umm Salal have lost three matches in a row (to lowly teams Al Kharaitiyat and Al Khor, and also to reigning champions Al Duhail in Week 19…</strong></p><p>We lost the last three games. We’ve to review our mistakes and work hard to get better results.</p><p><strong>Is anything wrong with the team composition?</strong></p><p>I don’t believe so. Maybe, we do need a little bit of luck.</p><p><strong>Umm Salal have scored only 20 goals from 19 matches. Doesn’t it reflect on the lack of teeth for the team’s attack?</strong></p><p>We’re working hard to improve our performance and strength in all positions because we’ve highly-skilled players in our team.</p><p><strong>Umm Salal narrowly lost out to Al Gharafa for the fourth position last season. This time, you’re in the bottom half…</strong></p><p>The onus is on us, the players, to work hard in order to improve our position in the league.</p><p><strong>In which position do you expect Umm Salal to finish in this season’s QNB Stars League?</strong></p><p>We’ll work hard in order to end up the season in a good and comfortable position. Umm Salal fans deserve it.</p><p><strong>Which team has the chance to become champions this season?</strong></p><p>There’re two great clubs (Al Sadd and Al Duhail) fighting for the league title. I wish them good luck.</p><p><strong>Who’re the players who’ve caught your attention in Qatar and at the world level?</strong></p><p>There’re many players with high level in the QSL. They can play in any league in the world.</p><p><strong>What’re your ambitions and future plans?</strong></p><p>To wind up the season after doing a good job for Umm Salal and then renew my contract.</p>