Ferreira: Al-Kharaitiyat clash will be tough; it’s too early to talk of the ACL

Al-Sadd head coach Jesualdo Ferreira feels that the upcoming QNB Stars League game against Al-Kharaitiyat will be a tough one for his side.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference before Thursday’s match, Ferreira said: “As always with Al-Sadd, our game against Al-Kharaitiyat will be really difficult. We’ll be missing some players due to injury. This has been our condition this season but we will work to get the win.”

He added: “My team will try to give their best efforts to win the three points, so as to keep up with Al-Duhail & Al-Rayyan. We know that Al-Kharaitiyat have no option but to win; so the match won’t be easy. But the players are ready for this clash.”

“We’re not as strong as we were last season,” said the coach. “We’re working to reach the top spot and I hope that in the second phase, we will be able to play with our full team after the injured players return. Our aim is to win the title.”

The coach also spoke about the league’s six week break following the end of the first phase. “The league is going to take a break after Round 11. We will begin again in the second phase and I hope all the players return. Our focus now is on tomorrow’s match, so as to get the win and the three points.”

Asked about Al-Sadd’s participation in the AFC Champions League, Ferreira said: “We have six matches in the AFC Champions League. I hope we’ll be at full strength for the tournament as it requires a lot of effort and discipline. It’s too early to take about the group; we have to know the fourth opponent.”