Al Gharafa will be looking for their first win of the season when they take on Umm Salal in the opening game of round two of the QNB Stars League season. The Cheetahs head coach Jean Fernandez spoke with the local media ahead of the game.
Opening up the press conference Fernandez was eager to praise his youthful starting team against Al Ahli, noting that this is part of long-term planning at Gharafa. “We are looking to make the side younger, the players will have a big chance to play in the league. They have been training with the side and played well against Al Ahli. This is the vision of the president, and this is the long term project at Al Gharafa.”
“Umm Salal we are playing a strong well organised side, who won the opening game of the season. They will have plenty of motivation to win back to back games. That said I feel that We played well against Al Ahli, and come into the game in a positive spirit” added the French coach when asked about the form of his Thursday evening opponents.
Whilst summer signing Diogo Amado stressed that the Gharafa squad are confident of getting a good result against Umm Salal on Thursday evening. “We are training well in the week. Umm Salal are a strong side, but we our focusing on our own performance and we are aiming for a win. We did really well in the first game, and we should of won the match against Al Ahli”
Source: qsl.com.qa