Ferreira: Umm Salal game will be new start

Al-Sadd head coach Jesualdo Ferreira believes that the upcoming QNB Stars League Round 11 clash with Umm Salal will mark a new beginning for his side.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Ferreira said: “Umm Salal will be a new challenge for Al-Sadd, especially as they are a good side with strength in all departments.”

“We have faced huge difficulties in October; it was a very unlucky month for us. We wasted the opportunity to be in the Champions League final and we lost the top spot in the league. We hope we can overcome this block and get back to winning ways.”

He continued: “The Umm Salal game will be tough. I hope I can see Al-Sadd perform well for the fans and get the win, so that we can return to fighting for the league title.”

“Al-Sadd are suffering psychologically despite having experienced players and big stars in the team. But I am fully convinced about the players’ ability to overcome this situation and return to form.”

As for the pressure on him following a run of negative results, Ferreira said: “The pressure is always there but it comes from inside me. I always try to put myself under pressure to get the best results.”

Ferreira also had words of praise for goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham, saying: “I predict that he wil be one of the best goalkeepers in Qatari football in the coming years because he has many abilities. People may not know that Meshaal Barsham is suffering from an injury and despite that, he strained himself when the team needed him. He did not hesitate to play despite his injury and I want to praise that.”