Umm Salal coach Patrice Carteron spoke to the media ahead of their 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League Week 18 match against Al Wakrah.

“Facing Al Wakrah is always interesting and strong, and we hope that my team will show the level it showed in the last Al Rayyan match and that we will enter the game with high concentration in order to give our best, especially since the recent draw with Al Rayyan is a good thing, even though we were seeking three points in the match. The team's strong performance in this match was laudable, as we played with great spirit, but in the end we committed a crucial mistake. We have to turn that chapter and think about the match with against The Blue Wave.

“I am sad that Oussama Tannane received the red card and it was at a decisive moment at the end of the match. I am sure that the substitute player who will replace him will also perform well, and I have great confidence in the entire team.

“I know that the match against Al Wakrah will be very difficult because they are a strong team with great ambitions, and in turn, we will continue the strong performance in order to win and make great strides in the standings,” said Carteron.

Umm Salal goalkeeper Sami Baladi said, “The Al Wakrah match, like all of the team’s matches in the league, will be strong, and we will play to win and get the three points, especially after the recent draw against Al Rayyan.

“I hope the team would continue the same performance and at the same time we would continue our journey strongly in the league.”