Ferreira: We will fight for the win, we came to Iran to qualify

Al-Sadd head coach Jesualdo Ferreira has claimed that his side will fight hard for the win and a spot in the final, when they clash with Persepolis in the second leg of the AFC Champions League semifinals on Tuesday.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Ferreira said: “In the first match, we weren’t bad and we gave everything we had, just as Persepolis. We just were not lucky. I hope that we will be better than we were in the first leg and that fortune will favour us. But we also need to consider the fact that Al-Sadd and Perspepolis are among the best four teams in Asia, so the refereeing should be at a good level and better than in the first leg.”

He added: “What I ask from the players and what we need now is focus. We know that the match will be really tough for us and for the opponent. It is well known that Iranian football is developing well and the evidence for that is the last World Cup, which saw players from Persepolis take part. They have more experience than the Al-Sadd players.”

Ferreira went on to promise a fighting spirit from his players. “You will see our team fight on the pitch to get the win, I just need you to trust them and you will see all the players as warriors.”

“We will play offensive football in order to win, and that’s the only way. When the players feel the pressure to win, they will give everything they have. Everyone must now that we are preparing the players well and giving them instructions but when the game starts, we have to wait and see what will happen because the ball is at the players’ feet.”

The coach conlcuded by telling the Iranian media: “You are expectnig qualification to the final but you should know that I want that too and I came here to achieve it.”