Ferreira: Unfair result; bringing on Meshaal was 100% correct

Al-Sadd head coach Jesualdo Ferreira spoke of his disappointment after the Wolves were only able to draw 1-1 with Al-Wakrah in the QSL Round 7 match played on Sunday.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Ferreira said: “The result was not fair. We controlled the first half completely and then took the lead in the second half. But everyone knows that Al-Sadd’s internationals only joined training two days prior to the match and it had an effect on their physical fitness.”

He went on to add: “I am saddened by the performance. As usual, we made an error at the end of the game which made things easier for Al-Wakrah to go on and equalize. Al-Wakrah only got two chances. Al-Sadd had more attacking chances but we did not finish off the match and the win despite controlling the match completely.”

The Al-Sadd coach also said: “There was a long break in the league for the national team and the internationals were fatigued. We were hoping to win but it didn’t happen. We had a bird in the hand but we lost it. We could have preserved the one goal lead and Al-Wakrah penalty was also dubious as per the information I got after the match.”

Asked about bringing on Meshaal Al-Shammari in place of goalscorer Hamroun, Ferreira said: “Meshaal coming on was a 100% correct decision. Meshaal has great capabilites and an influential role to play. Hamroun was suffering because he played 80 minutes contributing to both attack and defence. And so I wanted to bring in new blood and youthfulness (with Meshaal) who also has speed in attacking moves.”