Xavi: Happy to defeat Al Sailiya, we are looking for a fifth foreign player

Al-Sadd head coach Xavi Hernandez praised his side’s performance after a 3-0 win against Al Sailiya, in Round 14 of the QNB Stars League.

Speaking at the post-match press conference after the match: “I am very happy with the performance of the players today and the 3-0 win. It was possible to settle the game in the first half, as we missed many easy opportunities.”

He added: “We knew that the Al Sailiya team had played 120 minutes in the Champions League, and that the fitness factor would work in our favour. Therefore we relied on high pressure to score early on and this is what happened.”

The coach continued: “We must continue to work, especially as we depend on the results of others, to compete for the league title.”

As for Akram Afif’s display in the game, in which he scored a hat-trick, Xavi said: “Akram Afif always makes the difference. He is constantly developing, and because of that he became the best in Asia in 2019. Akram is 23 years old and has scored 6 hat-tricks so far. I am proud to coach him. No one can stop him if he continues at this level.”

Responding to a question on Al-Sadd signing Gervinho, the Xavi said: “What I heard from the club’s management is that it is difficult to register Gervinho in the squad as the transfer window was closed yesterday. If he is registered, he will only register for the next season. He is an excellent player.”

Xavi added: “We will try to search for a fifth foreign player during the coming period, as long as he is a free agent not linked to any club.”

“I would have liked to have this player (Gervinho), but it is difficult now to register him in the team.”