Younes Ali, Al Rayyan’s coach, confirmed that the team is fully prepared for the derby match against Al Arabi. During the press conference held on the sidelines of this match, he stated: “The match against Al Arabi is a crucial match against a strong opponent. Derby matches are always unique and not subject to previous records or results. It’s a league match worth three points, and we aim to improve the team’s position in the league.”
He added, “The time I’ve spent with the team has been short, but I’ve seen that the players are eager and determined to perform at their best. The team is fully prepared to put on a good show that befits Al Rayyan’s reputation in the upcoming match.”
Younes expressed his gratitude to Al Arabi for his previous time with the club, noting that he moved from one big team to another. He said, “This is a new challenge for me at my home club, Al Rayyan, and I seek to restore Al Rayyan to its natural position by winning titles. Our focus now is solely on the Al Arabi match, and then we will turn our attention to the match against Al Nassr in the AFC Champions League.”
Younes pointed out that the busy schedule does not allow for much forward thinking beyond the next match. He continued, “We have good and experienced players who can make a difference. After the Al Arabi and Al Nassr matches, there will be a break during which we will work on adding our ideas and style. For now, there won’t be significant changes. I’m counting on the big players and utilizing their abilities, such as Trezeguet, Bencharki, Guedes, and Pereira.”
He emphasized that Al Rayyan is a big club with a large fanbase, and the expectations are high. The team’s previous results have not met the aspirations, but he believes the team can return to its normal form and improve its performance both domestically and in Asia.