Al Wakrah coach Marquez Lopez spoke to the media ahead of their 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League Week 16 match against Al Markhiya.

“The match against Al Markhiya is a difficult task. The preparations for this match took three days, during which we tried to focus on all the details.

“I think this match is the last chance for us if we want to compete for the top four and improve our position in the table. Therefore, we will strive hard for victory and three points.

“Al Markhiya are one of the good teams in the league and have a distinguished coach and quality players who have speed and skill in counter-attacks, so we are working to close the gaps because we are aware of the danger of the opposing team.

“We still have many important absences, mainly Iranian professional Omid Ebrahimi. And team captain Ahmed Fadhel is nursing an injury and may be out of action for two or three weeks,” said Marquez.

Al Wakrah goalkeeper Omair Al Sayed said, “Everyone in the team has great determination to overcome this obstacle and get back to the winning path.

“We are ready for the game and every player will make extra efforts on the field so that we can get the best possible result and win the match.

“I am happy with my good performance with the team of late and I hope that I will be successful and can meet the expectations of the technical and administrative staff as well as my team-mates.

“Our chance still exists to return to the top four and I think we really deserve to be in the first positions in the table.”