Al-Sadd resume training ahead of QSL restart

The Al-Sadd first team resumed training on Tuesday, June 16 after a three month break forced by the COVID-19 pandemic, during which players had trained individually.

The players returned to the Al-Sadd training centre in small groups, and worked on physical fitness under the supervision of the coaching staff, led by head coach Xavi Hernandez. Routine group training still remains prohibited as per the social distancing instructions of the Qatar Stars League managament.

Algerian international forward Baghdad Bounedjah participated in training after recovering fully from a muscle injury which had required him to undergo surgery in April.

The Al-Sadd squad had assembled at the Ritz Carlton hotel for their closed camp on Monday, in preparation for the resumption of the QNB Stars League which has five rounds remaining.

In addition to technical staff and team officials, the squad for the camp consists of the following 15 players: Jehad Mohammed, Yousuf Abdullah, Abdulaziz Al-Ansari, Yasir Abubakar, Baghdad Bounedjah, Nam Tae-hee, Hashim Ali, Hamid Ismail, Jung Woo-young, Marco Fabian, Ayoub Mashhoor, Rami Suhail, Hussam Kamal, Ahmed Sayyar, Mustafa Tarek Meshal.

The members of the squad earlier underwent COVID-19 tests on Saturday, ahead of the start of the camp.

Nine players are absent from the squad due to national team commitments. Saad Al-Dosari, Meshaal Barsham, Abdulkarim Hassan, Tarek Salman, Pedro Miguel, Khoukhi Boualem, Akram Afif, Mohammed Waad and Hassan Al-Haydos have been called up to the Qatar national team training camp.

In addition to the nine Qatari internationals, midifielders Salem Al-Hajri and Ali Asad are also unavailable as they are currently recovering from Achilles injuries.

Al-Sadd are the defending QSL champions and currently sit in third place in the league table with 32 points.