Al Arabi coach Younes Ali spoke to the media ahead of their 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League Week 12 match against Qatar SC.

“Matches will be difficult in the second leg, especially since a number of teams have made reinforcements that will help them reap more points.

“Our preparations for the Qatar SC match were good and I thank the players for their performance against Al Sadd. I am satisfied with the team’s performance in the first leg, but things are different in the second leg, where games will be more difficult. But we are for it and we will be better in the second leg.

“There is great improvement in Qatar SC in the past matches. It will be a difficult match. They have the ambition to continue the good results, but we will provide the best and we will present a better level than what we presented in the first leg.

“We have some absentees. Jassim Jaber will be missed for up to two weeks with an injury he sustained in the last Al Sadd match and Abdullah Al Sulaiti will also be absent,” said Younes.

Al Arabi player Aron Gunnarsson said, “We are presenting a distinguished level despite the recent loss to Al Sadd and we are seeking to improve in order to keep competing for the title.

“I am happy with the team’s great level now as we play as one team. We must continue this progress especially since the second leg of the league is always the most difficult, so we need to get the same results if we want to get to the top.”