Al Sadd coach Wesam Rizik spoke to the media ahead of their 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League Week 17 match against Al Arabi.

“An important match awaits us between Al Sadd and Al Arabi. There is always a great competition between the two teams in all competitions, and it is a large and exciting meeting for the fans of both teams.

“The Al Gharafa match has become a thing of the past. We are striving with all our might to correct the mistakes that occurred and therefore we will be ready to face Al Arabi.

“The next match is a new mission for us and I am waiting for a strong reaction from the players, especially since we are in the lead, and this is a great motivation for us to continue the journey with full force,” said Wesam.

Al Sadd player Ali Asad said, “Our matches with Al Arabi are always strong and difficult. In the last three matches with Al Arabi, we did not achieve victory and this is a great reason for us to provide the best and achieve victory.

“After returning from the Asian Cup, we, the international players, did not perform at our best level because of fatigue.

“We are ready for the match and our goal is to win and get three points. We are satisfied with the result of the last Al Gharafa match especially since they are the second-placed team. In big matches, if you do not win, you must not lose, especially since we were not at our best level.”