Ahmed Salah: We Want a Conclusion Befitting the Name of the Police and We Will Play to Win

Ahead of the Police's encounter with its host Al-Karkh in round 37 of the Iraq Stars League, a press conference was held at the club's stadium, during which coach Ahmed Salah and player Hussein Ali revealed the team's preparation features for the match, which will be held tomorrow, Thursday, at Captain Sharar Haider Stadium.

Coach Ahmed Salah emphasized at the beginning of his speech that his team does not enter any match just to complete the numbers, even after officially being out of the title race. He said the encounter against Al-Karkh represents an opportunity to affirm the team's identity and deliver a performance that restores confidence for both players and fans.

Salah explained that the preparations over the past week focused on the mental aspect, noting that the players feel disappointed after losing the competition, but they are required to end the season in a manner befitting the club's history. He added that the match would be an opportunity to involve some young elements and give them minutes in a competitive atmosphere before the next season.

Regarding Al-Karkh, the Police coach said the opposing team is having a good season and plays without pressure, which makes them a tough opponent on their home ground. He confirmed that the key would be to focus and not allow the opponent spaces for quick transitions, especially since Al-Karkh relies heavily on counterattacks in their major matches.

For his part, full-back Hussein Ali spoke about the situation inside the locker room, confirming that the players agree on the necessity of ending the season with a performance that satisfies the fans. He said that losing the competition for the title does not mean stopping fighting, as the Police's motto imposes on everyone to play seriously until the last minute.

Hussein Ali pointed out that the encounter carries a special character as it is held at Al-Karkh Stadium, which is known to be difficult for all teams. He added that the focus would be on implementing the technical staff's instructions and playing collectively, as victory will only come by working as a unified system.