Ferreira: We know how difficult it will be to play Al-Gharafa

Al-Sadd head coach Jesualdo Ferreira remarked that his played know fully well how difficult it will be to play Al-Gharafa in Round 14 of the QNB Stars League, adding that it will be a crucial clash.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Ferreira said: “This is a very important match for us, against a strong team like Al-Gharafa who have players of high calibre. Playing them is always tough. The Al-Sadd players know that it is a crucial match, we have to win and get the three points.”

“It is very important that we score goals; the Al-Khor match was very difficult but we managed to win it. Baghdad Bounedjah celebrated the winning goal wildly because it came in the last five minutes of the game and also the importance of the result.”

He added: “We must defeat Al-Duhail to get closer to top spot. I don’t want to forget that we have had some bad performances like in the game against Al-Ahli. The difference between us and Al-Duhail is five points. We have a total of 22 games in the league and this is not much; making up (for lost points) is difficult.”

As for Al-Sadd’s draw with Al-Gharafa in their last meeting, Ferreira said: “Every match has its own context. We are going to play to win and we do not want a draw, like what happened in the first phase. What makes this game difficult is that the Al-Gharafa players will give their 100% (also). Our goal will be only to defeat them.”