Alkass English
Al Duhail head coach Djamel Belmadi has underlined his team's determination to maintain their positive momentum when they face Al Gharafa in Week 9 of the 2026-2027 Doha Bank Stars League, despite the challenges posed by a demanding fixture schedule.
Speaking to the media ahead of the encounter, Belmadi stressed the importance of securing all three points, which would further strengthen Al Duhail's position in the league standings.
The coach acknowledged that his side faces a difficult challenge following its recent participation in the Gulf Club Champions League, with limited time available for recovery and preparation.
“We recently returned from competing in the Gulf Club Champions League. We have not had enough time to rest or catch our breath, especially given the hectic match schedule,” Belmadi said.
Despite the demanding schedule, the Al Duhail coach remains focused on maintaining the team's strong performances and continuing its positive run in the competition.
Belmadi also reflected on receiving the Coach of the Month award for October, describing the recognition as a collective achievement that reflects the contributions of the entire team.
“Winning the Coach of the Month award for October is a testament to the collective effort of everyone, not just the coaching staff, and it is a victory for the players as well,” he added.
Meanwhile, Al Duhail player Amadou Doumbouya echoed his coach's confidence, insisting that the team is ready for the challenge and eager to continue its strong run in the league.
Doumbouya acknowledged that the short recovery period between consecutive matches has created difficulties in preparing for the upcoming fixture but stressed the importance of adapting to the circumstances.
“The team is prepared for the encounter and eager to continue its strong run in the tournament,” he said.
“As the head coach mentioned, the limited time for recovery between consecutive matches poses a major challenge for us. This has created some difficulties in our preparations for the upcoming game. However, we must adapt to these circumstances and focus on reaching peak readiness to face Al Gharafa.”
With three valuable points at stake, Al Duhail will be looking to overcome the physical demands of their recent commitments and deliver another strong performance as they seek to strengthen their position in the Doha Bank Stars League.