Ferreira: We are all responsible for league loss, we will go into this match looking to win

Al-Sadd head coach Jesualdo Ferreira has spoken of his team’s desire to win the upcoming QNB Stars League game against Al-Khor.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Ferreira said: “For me, as a coach, I know that the league is over. But we are going to play the remaining matches in all seriousness. All the remaining matches, be in in the league or in Asia, are important for us. I know that Al-Khor’s aim is to get away from the relegation zone and so this match is going to be crucial for them.”

The coach went on: “Al-Sadd played has 14 matches in 6 weeks. Since the beginning of February, we have played 12 matches. This creates a lot of strain for the players, physically and technically. I don’t think that European teams suffer from this congestion that clubs who play in the Champions League do.”

Ferreira also pointed out that while Al-Sadd did suffer psychologically after the defeat to Al-Duhail, the players managed to regroup and give their best performance against Nasaf in the Champions League.

“I am a little worried about the players returning from the national team camp just two days before the match against Al-Wasl, which will be a decisive match that could determine our progress to the second round of the AFC Champions League,” added the Portuguese.

As for his view on the team’s performance in the season up until now, Ferreira said: “I am happy when I win and there are times when I win and I am not happy. I look for a complete performance. Everyone is responsible for losing out in the league title race and not just the players. In the first phase of the league, we were hit by the defeats to Al-Duhail and Al-Rayyan. There are a lot of difficulties in football and we need to overcome them. I now know a lot about the rules of Qatari football and I must work according to these rules. We will continue our work to keep competing for titles.”

Ferreira went on to speak about Al-Sadd goalkeeper Saad Al-Dosari as well. “Saad Al-Dosari has sacrificed a lot for the club; he has been playing with an injury in his shoulder. For that, he needs to be appreciated by everyone in Qatar. He plays and he does not complain, and he will continue until the end of the season. I ask all the officials in Qatari football to honour him as he sacrifices for the club and for his country.”