Ferreira: Our aim is to defeat Al-Shahaniya; Hamroun is injured and won’t play

Al-Sadd head coach Jesualdo Ferreira spoke of his team’s readiness ahead of the QSL Round 19 match against Al-Shahaniya which will be played at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Thursday.

Speaking to the media at the pre-match press conference, Ferreira said: “All the remaining matches will be really difficult, not just for Al-Shahaniya but for Al-Sadd as well. Our aim is to go top and win the league title.”

As for the chances of Khalfan Ibrahim, Hassan Al-Haydos and Morteza Pouraliganji, he said: “The three of them will play against Al-Shahaniya after they recovered completely and are physically and technically fit.”

The boss went on to add: “My philosophy is clear and simple: depend on the full team, be it first string or substitutes. We are facing really strong teams and most of our players, old and young, are doing their work very well. The strong teams are the ones who have players training all week. Since last season, we have been depending on young players.”

Asked about the form of Hamza Al-Sanhaji in recent matches, Ferreira said: “I am confused now because there is Hamza who has been excellent recently and there is also Bounedjah who has returned. I am a fair man to all players but unfortunately in some occasions, I face a great issue with regards to players in form. My aim is to always put the team first.”

Ferreira also confirmed the unavailability of Jugurtha Hamroun, saying that he “is injured and will not play against Al-Shahaniya.”

He went on to conclude by saying: “In the last six games, we have only lost once. All that has been while we depend on our youth products who have been with the team from last season.”