(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Peninsula
Al Rayyan's Head of Football Ali Afifa has said that Al Rayyan are not satisfied with the outcome of their recently-concluded season and will come as a better side in the next season.
In an interview, Afifa said changes in team management during the season affected his side's performance, which failed to defend their Qatar Stars League (QSL) title.
'We were contenders in all the competitions we took part in, what makes us sad the fact that we concluded this season with no titles in hand, said Al Rayyan's football boss.
Commenting on losing the QSL title and the reasons behind that, he reflected: 'We had a tough start and then came the change of the team head coach with (Jorge) Fossati moving to the Qatar national team. We moved quickly and signed Michael Laudrup, however the players needed sometime to adapt to the method and system of Laudrup, I think that after that period we really improved and we got much better in the final rounds.
Afifa, however, said the season was not a complete failure for his side.
Al Rayyan will come to the next season desperate for the titles.
'One of the plus points is that we finished within the top four. This means a chance to take part in the AFC Champions League next season. That is an important long-term goal of the club added Afifa.
Commenting on whether ending the current season without any titles will motivate the team for the new season 2017/2018, he added: 'Each and every season we prepare ourselves for competing for all titles. We always need titles and Al Rayyan will be stronger and better in the coming season.
Within the frame of preparations for the new season, Al Rayyan will convene external training camp in the Netherlands.
Also it was announced that the club has signed Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah, former El Jaish player, for two season replacing Spanish striker Sergio Garcia who returned to the Spanish side Espanyol. Commenting on signing Hamdallah Afif said; 'He is a terrific player who was the top goal score r with Tabata during the 2015/2016 season. He missed many matches with his team during this season due to injury, wishing him all the best with Al Rayyan.
Afif also had some warm words for the departing Sergio Garcia saying: 'There is no doubt that Garcia was a key player for the team. He is well-disciplined and experienced. He surely served the team well and it is loss seeing him leave.
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