Ferreira: Delighted with the win, we need to continue working to secure qualification

Al-Sadd head coach expressed his delight after his side’s 3-1 win over Persepolis in the AFC Champions League, praising his players for an excellent display.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Ferreira said: “Al-Sadd had prepared for this game well and we worked to stop their (Persepolis) attack. We went on to succeed in doing that. We dealt with the match smartly and thwarted their danger by using space well, especially in the second half when we extended the lead. As we know, the Iranian team will return stronger but we managed to stop them (today). Possession was in our favour and we could have scored more goals.”

He added: “I want to congratulate the players because the phase they are going through is not easy, with the pressure of a congested scheduled of matches in the domestic and Asian levels. The opponent we faced today was very strong too. I am happy with this victory and the performance the team put up in the match and all the recent matches.”

“The goal we conceded in the final moments made me very angry but I don’t blame the players for it,” said Ferreira.

The coach also ensured that the players did not lose focus with this result: “We must keep working and get more points in order to secure qualification to the next round.”

He also remarked: “The fixture congestion is a problem for us and could affect us negatively in the league or in the ACL. We will work hard to win both titles and we will strive to achieve this in every manner.”

Asked about the significance of the result, considering that Hassan Al-Haydos didn’t play and Jugurtha Hamroun did not start, Ferreira said: “I don’t just count the stars but I work with all the players.”

Ferreira also commented about the positive results that Qatari teams have achieved till now: “(This) is a great thing and I am not surprised by these results. Qatari teams like Al Duhail, Al Gharafa and Al Rayyan have been performing well to achieve these great results in the first two rounds.”

The Al-Sadd coach went on to conclude by saying: “I am very happy with the win and the performance of the players. I want to congratulate them again, especially as they have been suffering after returning from the UAE and then playing in the league before facing a strong Persepolis team in the ACL again. This is a miracle in football and I want to personally thank the players profusely.”