Al Gharafa coach Pedro Martins spoke to the media ahead of their 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League Week 8 match against Al Duhail.

“The team continues to prepare well for this difficult and important match, and it is waiting to show its strength, be a strong competitor and have the ability to control the match in order to win.

“Al Duhail are a great team with good players. I know them well because I have watched many of their matches, including the final of Amir Cup last season.

“The match is of great importance because Al Duhail are ahead of us by two points in the standings.

“There are doubts about the participation of Moyad Hassan, who suffers from an injury, and we will see how ready he is for the match. We will also miss national team players Amro Seraj, Ahmed Alaaeldin and Homam Al Ameen, but the rest of the players are in good condition and 100 per cent ready for the match,” said Martins.

Al Gharafa goalkeeper Yousef Hassan said, “All players had prepared well for this match, which will mark the resumption of the league. We had played four friendly matches in order to prepare for the rest of the league and all players are ready. God-willing, we will do our best.

“Al Duhail are a big team and it will be a great match between the two teams, as always.”