Al Ahli coach Pedro Miguel spoke to the media ahead of their 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League Week 15 match against Umm Salal.

“It is necessary for the team to continue on its way towards gaining points despite the difficulties we are going through due to injuries. We had missed some important players in the last round against Al Gharafa, such as Yazan Al Naimat, Naim Sliti, Islam Yassine and Abdulrasheed Ibrahim, but as a coach I have to prepare the team in the appropriate way to face Umm Salal.

“Umm Salal are a strong team with prominent players and therefore the match will be difficult, but I have confidence in the abilities of our players who will play the match. At the same time, football requires dealing with the conditions that any team goes through on the field and from this standpoint we have prepared players for the match. We will play with full force to win.

“We are working to ensure that Al Ahli are at the best level as the matches continue with an increasing rhythm in the competition. We must work with high concentration and prepare the players for the match in a way that achieves the team’s goal.

“Victory over Al Gharafa in the last round gives the players a morale boost and additional confidence against Umm Salal to continue on the winning path,” said Pedro Miguel.

Al Ahli’s Uruguayan defender Ramon Arias said, “I am very happy with the co-operation of my team-mates and I will make every effort to further strengthen the team.

“The match against Umm Salal is of great importance. As players, we view all matches as important and it is necessary to make efforts in order to achieve victory. We have great desire to score points and this is the motivation with which we all go into all matches.

“The league is in an important stage that requires high concentration from all team members with the aim of reaching points. Therefore, we will face Umm Salal with all seriousness and our goal is to win.

“Good performance and players’ great confidence are the keys to victory and we are capable of putting up a distinguished performance despite the many absences due to injuries.”