Saoud Al-Hajri: The current phase is the biggest challenge of my life

Al-Sadd goalkeeper Saoud Al-Hajri spoke to the club website in an exclusive interview from Bad Häring, where the Wolves have set up camp for preseason training.

Al-Hajri expressed his delight in joining Al-Sadd this summer, adding that he was lucky to have played at Al-Rayyan and then move to a big club like Al-Sadd. “I am delighted to join Al-Sadd, who are two-time Asian champions and the leading club of Qatari football,” he said.

“I did not hesitate for a moment before accepting Al-Sadd’s offer after the cancellation of my contract with Al-Rayyan. To be clear, I did not really aim to move to Al-Sadd in the beginning. But when the offer from the club came, I did not think much and quickly accepted it. The negotiations with Al-Sadd went on for only 15 minutes, especially as I know what I need and the management too knew what they needed. And so, we came to an agreement quickly.”

“Everyone thought it was strange for me to move to Al-Sadd when I could move to another club where I would be first-choice. But the idea is to play with a goal. This is how football is: competition. This is present in Al-Sadd. As for playing all season to fulfill QSL’s valuation rules, I was ready to sacrifice all that in order to be at Al-Sadd. Al-Sadd have all the tools needed for success – players, management and coaching staff,” added the goalkeeper.

Asked about the competition with Saad Al-Dosari, Al-Hajri had this to say: “This current phase is the biggest challenge of my life. I am a professional goalkeeper; (I understand) the coach is the one who will choose who plays. Of course, Saad is the number one keeper at Al-Sadd and in Qatar. I am the first person to support Saad and I know fully well that he will reciprocate. All the big teams have more than one excellent player in every position and this will benefit the team, especially as there are 4-5 tournaments to play. Therefore every player must perform their best and be fully prepared.”

He continued: “As far as I am concerned, Saad Al-Dosari is not just a teammate. He is also like my younger brother. He is a good man; respectable and down to earth. He was one of the first to greet me when I signed for Al-Sadd. Saad is working hard now and I am missing him now here at the preseason camp. I am waiting for his quick return.”

Al-Sadd have a new goalkeeping coach this season with Italian Luca Squinzani taking up the role. Al-Hajri had good words for him: “He is new to the team but he is from the same Italian school of coaching that we had before. I have worked with him for 3-4 days and I feel he is a hardworking and spirited coach. He pushes me to be better and I hope to benefit from him and develop to a better level.”

The former Al-Rayyan man also had words for his old club and its fans. “Al-Rayyan is my life. I don’t have enough words to describe my feelings; it is my home and my life. My friends are there. After the Almighty, I thank Al-Rayyan for everything in my sporting and personal life. I wish them all the best. My move to Al-Sadd was a step that had to be taken. I don’t know if it was the right or wrong step. God knows best. My situation led me to make the move. I had hoped to retire at Al-Rayyan and join the club management but this is fate. Al-Rayyan fans will always be in my heart.”

Al-Hajri concluded by saying: “I think this coming season will be much better than all the previous season. All that we need is the support of the fans. This will be a great motivation for the players. I hope we win every title we compete for. I know that the Al-Sadd fans deserve that.”