Al Wakrah coach Marquez Lopez spoke to the media ahead of their 2022-2023 season QNB Stars League Week 15 match against Umm Salal.

“We had two days for training and after that we have another match in four days, but we are now focusing only on the next match against Umm Salal.

“When a new coach comes to the team (Umm Salal), he motivates the players, and they played two matches under the leadership of the new technical staff, losing against Al Sadd and drawing against Al Sailiya. For us, the match will be difficult like the rest of the league matches.

“What is happening in my team during this period is very strange. In the past, the team played seven consecutive matches in which it did not lose any game, and it was the most goal-scoring and the least goal-receiving. So this is unbelievable, but it is football at the end of it all.

“In the last match, I played with four foreign players and four players in the Qatar national team, and despite that, we did not win the match. In the past, we were playing without national team players and professionals such as Mohamed Benyettou and we were winning at the time. Despite that, I am confident that the next one will be better, but I admit that the team is now weak in defence and in attack, and this matter is clear to everyone,” said Marquez.

Al Wakrah player Yousef Abdulrazaq said, “The team is ready to overcome this obstacle, and certainly this match will be difficult, but we will make every effort to return with the three points and restore the memory of victories. We hope to win, we know it will be difficult and we will treat it as an opportunity to get back to winning ways.

“I feel that I quickly adapted to the team, especially since I know a large number of players through our presence together in the national team, and the coach gave me great confidence. My relationship is good with all within the team and I hope to contribute with the rest of the players to achieve victories and make our fans happy.”