Baniyas held its pre-match press conference ahead of the upcoming clash against United in Round 2 of the ADNOC Pro League, with head coach Daniel Isăilă and player Alhassan Koroma addressing the media.

Isăilă: Our goal is to secure our first win against United

Head coach Daniel Isăilă highlighted the importance of the upcoming match against United, stressing the team’s determination to build on the positives from the opening round and secure its first victory of the season.

“We are preparing for our second league match against United. I watched their opening game, and despite losing 5-1, I do not believe the scoreline fully reflected what happened on the pitch. They produced a good performance and remained competitive until the closing stages,” Isăilă said.

He added:
“United are a team that want to play football. They build patiently from the back, are dangerous in attacking transitions, and possess physical strength as well as quality from set pieces. We therefore need to be fully prepared for this challenge.”

Reflecting on the opening-round defeat against Al Ain, Isăilă said:
“We showed some positive signs and left a good impression in the first match, but that alone is not enough. We have to learn, improve our performance, and be more clinical in the decisive moments of the game.”

The Baniyas coach also highlighted the importance of small details at this stage of the season:
“At this time of the season, with the high temperatures and the physical effort required from the players, small details can make the difference. We must maintain our concentration and make the most of the opportunities we create.”

Isăilă expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to secure a positive result:
“The spirit shown by the players gives me confidence, and I believe we are capable of achieving our first victory, especially as we will be playing at home in front of our supporters. We need to be more effective and do everything possible to secure the three points.”

Regarding the squad’s availability, Isăilă confirmed:
“Unfortunately, we have two important absences. Diković will miss the match following his red card, while João Victor remains sidelined through injury and will need a few more weeks before returning.”

Isăilă concluded by reaffirming the team’s readiness for the match and its determination to continue improving, deliver a strong performance, and achieve a positive result for the Baniyas supporters.

Koroma: We have turned the page and our focus is on the three points

Alhassan Koroma stressed the importance of the upcoming match against United, highlighting the players’ determination to move on from the previous result and focus fully on securing a positive outcome.

“Of course, we were disappointed with the result of the last match, but as players we have to turn the page, get back to work, and focus on what lies ahead,” Koroma said.

He added:
“The upcoming match is very important for us, and we understand the importance of giving our best on the pitch to achieve our objective.”

Koroma continued:
“Our full focus is now on securing the three points, and we will give everything we have to achieve that.”

He concluded:
“We want to deliver a good performance and achieve a positive result that puts a smile on the faces of the Baniyas supporters.”