Ferreira: We’re preparing well, the Champions League is an important target for us

Al-Sadd head coach Jesualdo Ferreira is satisfied with the team’s preseason camp in Austria, describing it as going well until now. The Portuguese tactician also feels that the AFC Champions League is a crucial goal for the Wolves in the upcoming season.

Speaking to the Al-Sadd website in an exclusive interview, Ferreira said: “We can say that up to this point, everything is going well. The most important thing for me is that there haven’t been any injuries to worry me or derail my plans. All the players are training seriously and giving their best. The friendly games that we have played have seen the players display a satisfactory level.”

He added: “I can say with surety that the players are giving their best in training and in the games. I hope the camp continues like this in the two remaining days, in the same manner and without any injuries, before we reach Doha to continue our preparation for the first match in the league.”

Ferreira gave minutes to all his players during the two friendly games during the camp and he feels that this was very important. “The training was intense and exhausting and it was difficult for a player to play the whole game in the current situation. So this (inclusion of all players) will take place in the last friendly on Friday as well. My objective from this is to avoid fatigue and also give the players a chance to show their capabilities and play more. We want to line up for the first game of the season, without leaving anything out in terms of preparation.”

As for the competition from rival sides in the new season, Ferreira said: “I don’t think that the competition will be limited to just Al-Sadd and Al-Duhail but Al-Rayyan will also be present as a third side. I think Al-Gharafa will also be there to compete, and not like last season when they came up in the end but right from the start of the season. (As for us,) we believe we have the capability to win and we must achieve that.”

The coach also remarked: “The teams in Qatar will face difficulties with the league beginning in August. By that I mean the training will be more difficult than the matches, because matches will be played in air-conditioned stadiums.” However, Ferreira also pointed out that beginning the league early would be in the favour of both Al-Sadd and Al-Duhail, who have AFC Champions League quarterfinal fixtures to play at the end of August.

“The AFC Champions League is an important target for us, the players, the coaching staff, the management and the fans,” added Ferreira. “These will be crucial moments for us. In Iran, the temperature will be less warmer and we will be playing at a tough ground with a huge attendance, and against a difficult opponent. We will also have little time to prepare. (So) I think the match will be a tough one. Our obective is to go into the match having prepared fully for it, so that we can return to Doha with relief after getting a postivie result. If we are able to play the match without any injuries, our chances of reaching the semifinal will be high.”

Away from the team’s preparations, Ferreira also shared his thoughts on Qatar’s preparations to host the next edition of the FIFA World Cup in 2022. “I’m witnessing excellent work going on in constructing great facilities and infrastructure, even as there are four and a half years to go. The World Cup is a huge investment for Qatar and is a big honour to be able to host it. This is not just at the sporting level, but at the political level as well.”

“The tournament will be played in December and this will mean a complete change in schedules for the European and world leagues. (But) this will help fans from all over the world to come to Qatar and enjoy this beautiful country during a time with great weather conditions. Qatar still has time before the World Cup kicks off and we are all watching how the infrastructure is being built. Based on my time in Qatar, I can say that the 2022 World Cup will be organised in an excellent fashion.”

Before signing off, Ferreira also reflected on the recently concluded 2018 World Cup in Russia. “I didn’t watch all the games at the World Cup but I think it wasn’t a great tournament; the football wasn’t great. Some of the teams like Portugal, Spain, Germany and Brazil really disappointed. It was not normal to see the knockout stage without the big teams. Croatia was a surprising finalist but France, who were runners-up at the Euros two years ago, were deserving champions.”