Ferreira: We have prepared well; the work will continue in Doha

* Biggest positive from the camp is returning without any injuries

* The players have worked out to reach ideal level of preparation

* I was surprised by the level of the youth; watch out for them next season

* Change in venue was beneficial; two weeks of preparation is adequate

* We have had a strong first preseason friendly; happy with the lack of complacency by the players in the second

* We have ended the first phase of preparation; we will continue to work hard in Doha without the internationals

Al-Sadd head coach Jesualdo Ferreira has spoken of the benefit the team has got from the preparatory phase ahead of the start of the 2016/17 season. The phase started on 16th July and lasted until the 30th with the team training in Kaprun and Munich.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the official club website, Ferreira said: “We had a good, beneficial preseason camp; we got all the required benefit out of it. All the facilities at the camp were excellent and helped the team to train with calm and comfort.”

“The biggest positive from the camp was returning without any injuries. Intense camps with tough training always mean there will be injuries but the Al-Sadd players were responsible and went through the training with great work and sincerity,” he added.

As for the level of performance put up by the young players in the squad, the coach said: “It is very positive that the youth players who joined the squad showed an excellent level. Their performance was great and they responded strongly to the training. This is very important for the coaches and also for the management who are working to support the team with young players who will be the future of the club.”

Ferreira went on to talk about the duration of the camp and the change in venue from Kaprun to Munich, saying: “Two weeks are adequate to have a strong preparation; the change in venue was important so that the players do not feel any sort of tedium. It also helped in renewing the spirits of the players to help them work harder in training.”

He also added: “During the camp we had a strong first friendly with Ufa FC which we could have won. In the second game against Hammerau, I was happy that the players were not complacent despite winning by a big score. This is very important.”

Asked about the next phase of preparation in Doha, the coach said: “The first stage is over with the training camp abroad. We will now resume our work again in Doha by training hard but without the internationals, who we wish the very best in their national duty for Qatar.”

Ferreira went on to conclude by saying: “We will continue our work in Doha because the other players are very important to us too and we need to work with them so that they reach the complete level of readiness ahead of the start of the season.”