Al Gharafa coach Pedro Martins spoke to the media ahead of their 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League Week 18 match against Al Rayyan.

“The main players and substitutes continue to work continuously and everyone is doing their best to occupy his place in the team. This is a good thing for us and I am sure that we will be ready for the match, which I consider to be one of the best. The six finals remaining for us in the league, especially since Al Rayyan have distinguished players, and we must avoid making mistakes against a team of this type, so as not to pay a heavy price, and be at the top of our focus. We must also implement our strategy on the field and if we do that we will certainly be the closest to victory.

“Indeed, we did not start the last two matches well and that was due to various reasons. In the Al Sadd match, we were overly cautious during the first half and this is due to the psychological aspect. As for the Muaither match, in some matches, we must be patient until you find the right time to attack and in the second half you can benefit more than you did in the first half. This was what happened and I am really happy with the players’ performance in many matches.

“I would say to our fans that it would be a wonderful match in their presence and this is what we always try to provide to our fans by combining good performance with the joy of winning. I am sure that we will present another good match for our fans,” said Martins.

Al Gharafa player Ferjani Sassi said, “The preparations are like for each match... it is one of the remaining six final matches and I personally love such big matches. God-willing, we will provide a good result and be able to achieve the win.

“Al Rayyan are an excellent team that is having a good season and have a strong attack, but for our part, we must be fully focused, in addition to adhering to the coach’s instructions and what he tells us about Al Rayyan’s strengths and weaknesses. We are ready and excited for the match that brings together the second and third-placed teams. We have a great desire to win.”