Al Rayyan coach Artur Jorge spoke to the media ahead of their 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League Week 12 match against Umm Salal.

“This is the first challenge for me and it is our first match in the second leg, and through this match we will have the ability to return to competition and develop the team’s level through some intensive training. We have a small number of matches in the league (11 matches) and it is a big challenge for me to return to competition.

“I accepted this challenge, which I know will be difficult, and I will help develop the team in order to compete for all tournaments. It is true that we are far behind in terms of points, but I came to develop the team.

“I came with Botafogo of Brazil to play an important tournament in Qatar, the Intercontinental Cup, and after winning the Brazilian League and Copa Libertadores, I had some offers from Qatar, but I continued with Botafogo, and after the Al Rayyan offer, I accepted the challenge after ending the Botafogo adventure in the last match I played here and now I am starting a new challenge with Al Rayyan,” said Artur Jorge.

Al Rayyan player Abdulaziz Hatem said, “The team is ready to face Umm Salal. The beginnings are always difficult and this is the beginning of a new leg and we are not in the best condition in the league, as everyone knows. Now we have new technical staff and we did not have enough time to get to know them more, and the players know the value and importance of this match to return to our natural place, so we have a great responsibility, and everyone must bear this responsibility, and we must help the coach to give the required addition in a good atmosphere by getting the three points.

“We, as professional players, must quickly adapt to any training school and every coach and technical staff have requirements that we must implement, and we must help him and adapt and implement the coach’s instructions and all players have experience and are professionals. We must help the players who do not have experience in order to return to our natural place.”