Ferreira: This was a crucial win, Bounedjah’s record will be difficult to break

Al-Sadd head coach Jesualdo Ferreira congratulated his team for their performance in the 4-1 win over Al-Shahaniya in Round 15 of the QNB Stars League.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Ferreira said: “It was a really tough match as everyone saw. We played under a lot of pressure because of the Al-Duhail’s game, which the players knew ended in a draw. I noticed certain players were getting emotional, especially at the end of the first half, when Al-Shahaniya got the equaliser.”

“In the second half, we gained control over the game and scored three goals to clinch the three points. I want to congratulate the players for the performance and I particularly want to thank the Al-Sadd fans who supported us a lot and we await their presence in the upcoming game aganist Al-Duhail at home.”

Ferreira also sent a message to the QFA, requesting for an extra day of rest before the game between Al-Sadd and Al-Duhail, because of the number of internationals in both teams.

As for bringing on Xavi in the second half and not starting with Hamid Ismail, Ferreira said: “Xavi played in the second half because he is returning from an injury. Hamid has three yellow cards which is why I did not play him from the start.”

“We played with a possession style in order to avoid fatigue for the players. Al-Shahaniya are a team with good capabilities but we played the game the way we wanted to.”

When asked about Al-Sadd’s big scores in recent games and what it means, Ferreira said: “Al-Sadd is a strong team and everyone has seen how we have scored a lot of goals, in Asia as well. This is not new for us. Since I joined the team we have been playing beautiful football and getting big victories.”

Finally, Ferreira also had words of praise for Baghdad Bounedjah who broke the QSL’s record for most goals in a season. “I want to particularly congratulate Baghdad for breaking this league record. He has also beaten the Asian record. This success is not for him alone but for the entire team who help him to do it. Bounedjah is one of the best players I have seen in my life. He is a great player who scores and assists as well. Congratulations to him. He will keep on breaking records. He has brought us a lot of happiness through his goals and I am sure that he will score many more. It will be difficult to break his records.”