The Peninsula
Al Duhail’s Qatari international Ismail Mohamed yesterday said that he will be looking to regain his place in the main line-up after returning to action following a long break.
The 29-year-old forward was absent for a long period because of a horrific injury he suffered in the beginning of the last season. Ismail was subjected to surgery followed by a long period of recovery and has returned to training with his team-mates in Portimao, Portugal, where the team is currently based.
In an interview with Al Duhail club website, Ismail said he is happy to be back.
“I am very happy to return to the stadiums again after a long period of rest because of the injury I suffered in the beginning of the last season, which is one of the most dangerous injuries a player can suffer. But thank God I was subjected to surgery and after that I followed a long recovery process,” Ismail said..
“Now I am ready and certainly I will seek to regain my place in the main lineup or be one of the options that the coach can use to change the balance of the match,” Ismail said of his intentions.
Ismail, who was linked with transfer talks, said that his ambition is to give his best to the Qatari giants who finished second in last year’s QNB Stars League standings.
“I have heard these conversations (about moving to a different club) but I am an Al Duhail player. I have a contract with the team and now my full focus is with the team, specially that we will open the season with a confrontation against Al Sadd in the AFC Champions League,” Ismail said.
Ismail will have to fight for his team with Belgian star Edmilson Junior for a spot in the team and the Qatari said the competition against his team-mate will be beneficial for Al Duhail.
“Edmilson is a great player and now I am working hard to regain my level. Edmilson was able to present a special season with the team, but I will compete with him strongly and this competition will be beneficial for the team,” he said.
Al Duhail’s previous season was tainted with a number of injuries and they lost the domestic league title to Al Sadd before fighting back to win the Amir’s Cup crown. But Ismail is confident that Al Duhail will fight back to regain their prestige.
“The team suffered difficult circumstances during last season where many players suffered from injuries, making it very difficult for them. But Al Duhail were able to win the second place in the League and ended its season with the Emir Cup victory. Now that all the key players are back, I think Al Duhail are able to win the three championships again,” Ismail said.
“The preparatory camp in Portugal was successful in general and the team is in a new phase now. We will work hard to win over Al Sadd in the AFC Champions League,” Ismail said as his team prepares to take on home rivals in the round of 16 of the continental event on August 6.