Al Duhail Head Coach Hernan Crespo expressed his confidence in the ability of his players to come out with a positive result in the team’s next match versus Umm Salal in the Round 9 of the league, and the coach said in the pre match press conference that was held at 3 pm yesterday in the club’s press conference hall: We went through a normal week of preparation, during which I did a number of tactical exercises in order to improve our technical plans in which we will play the match, and I know that our team is on top of the league table standings, but we have to show that on the field and present the expected performance that will help us get the required result.

Crespo said: Our victory over Al Gharafa in the last round was good for us, especially since it came after a long period of stoppage, but it does not motivate our players to do the best, wearing the team jersey is sufficient enough to motivate the players. Now we are facing a new challenge that will not be easy, which will make us work hard throughout the match time.

Commenting on Semedo’s injury, the coach said: Very sad because of defender Rubin Semedo’s injury in our previous match, as well as the departure of defender Mohamed Musa during the last period, but now he has started to return again and may be present with us in the coming period, but these absences will not affect the team because the two players Youssef Ayman and Mohammed Al-Nuaimi succeeded in presenting themselves during their participation in the Ooredoo Cup and the FIFA Referees Cup. I have confidence in them, as well as everyone plays for the benefit of the team, whether in offense or defense.

Crespo concluded: Our players perform the matches strongly, which causes them to obtain cards. Certainly, we have played many matches, and we miss the efforts of a number of our players and the young players who proved their abilities in every participation they have with the team.