Ferreira: We deserved the win, the players dealt well with pressure

Al-Sadd head coach Jesualdo Ferreira described his side’s 5-0 win over Al-Ahli in the QNB Stars League as a big boost ahead of a crucial phase in the season.

Speaking at the post-game press conference, Ferreira said: “We played a different lineup from the last game. As coaches, we have our own views and we deal with games in particular ways. Al-Sadd are playing domestically and in Asia as well and rotating players is in the best interests of the team.”

The coach added: “It is not easy to keep a player at his best level in all games. As coaching staff, we need to help them in this, in order to maintain the balance of the team.”

Ferreira also expressed his delight with the big result that Al-Sadd achieved. “This is a big result and a deserved three points for us. There were some tired players and we could have performed even better. This will be the situation until the end of April. We need to keep working. I hope nobody gets injured.”

The Portuguese coach also said: “The players gave a great performance and this is a fair result. They are suffering not just physically but mentally as well, because of the pressure of playing on two fronts – at home and in Asia. I am happy that they have dealt with this pressure. This win will boost us ahead of the upcoming game against Al-Duhail, which will be very crucial for the Al-Sadd team.”

Ferreira concluded by saying: “I want to congratulate all the players and especially Bounedjah, who scored four goals. Some top goalscorers cannot score four goals in a game like him.”