Al Duhail Head Coach Hernan Crespo described the coming match versus Al Ahli in Round 13 of the QNB Stars League as tough and difficult. The Coach said in the pre-match press conference held at 3 pm yesterday in the Club’s press conference hall: Once again a big game ahead of us versus a strong team who are performing well in each and every match… however, things are entirely in our hands to finish this game with a positive result. I have faith in the players’ capabilities in achieving the desired result because Al Duhail full squad is in full readiness and I am facing some issues in selecting the starting 11.
Crespo continued: In the previous match, some of our players got injured and I am not sure why. Asim Madibo joined the team after return from participation with Qatar National Team in the World Cup and the Gulf Cup, as we granted him rest before joining the training sessions. Also, Karim Boudiaf rested before joining the team training sessions. During the previous match, Madibo got injured, and Karim felt pains, which forced us to substitute him. Noting that the constant participation of our players with the Qatar National Team is good for us.
Crespo added: Our match in the first leg of this season versus Al Ahli was difficult and ended in a tie as they equalised at the final minutes of the game from a penalty caused by our player Luis Martin, so we weren’t lucky. In addition, the referee ruled out a goal scored by Nam Tae Hee. I am aware that the coming match versus Al Ahli will as difficult as our previous game versus Al Wakra… Therefore, we have to be in full focus.
Crespo concluded: I am satisfied with the players’ performance and I think we do have the mentality to develop more and the perfect example is our player Ismail Mohamed who sit next to me whose a player a professional mentality whether on or off the field and one of the best players in the World Cup with the National Team. He is always smiling whether started the game or sat on the bench and always performs well following our instructions in addition of course to his commitment during training sessions. He is a role model for everyone.
