Al Sadd are in action in the QNB Stars League just three days after
their AFC Champions League win over Dubai’s Al Wasl and coach Jesualdo
Ferreira has spoken about player rotation for the tie against Al Arabi
today.
“Our task is difficult. We play every three days between the league and
AFC Champions League. This situation will force us to resort to a policy
of rotating the players,” said Ferreira of the match dubbed the Qatar
Derby.
Asked whether Qatar international Hassan al-Haydous needed rest in the
next game, the Portuguese coach said, “Hassan is not the only one who
needs rest. There are 10 other players who need it, and the task is
difficult but not impossible. But what’s reassuring is the great
motivation of players who seek to win the title and compete for AFC
Champions League title as well. That is not impossible since we have
already won the Asian title.
“I respect Al Arabi very much, their coach and players. Derbies always
witness surprises, so we will not judge Al Arabi by what we saw in their
previous games. We have to do our best,” he said.
Ferreira praised Al Sadd’s performance against Al Wasl in Dubai midweek.
“All players showed their potential well even though Al Wasl played
without their full squad. In fact, many teams fared well in the first
round of group stage,” he added.
Coach Luka Bonacic acknowledged the tough spot his 11th-placed team are in.
“We are in a tight spot and we are trying to escape from it. For that,
my players must stay fully focused at least in the remaining games. We
are working a lot in training sessions,” Arabi boss said.
“Our system of playing is good. We are working out various formations.
We had many stats in favour of us during our loss to Al Ahli in the last
game. For example, we shot many times more than Al Ahli. But then, what
is the use of all that when you do not win?
“In the last game, I was angry with our players, especially foreign
recruits, who must know not to go all out with eight or nine players in
the last minutes. Thus, 2-0 became 4-0 against us when the game ended.”
Earlier in the day, bottom-placed Al Markhiya will play their first game
under new coach Adel Sellimi when they face Al Khor at Al Arabi
Stadium.
“In my first match in charge, I certainly want to win and get full
points. Both teams have good players. I have watched Al Markhiya’s
matches and the team can perform well. A victory will greatly boost the
players’ confidence,” said Sellimi.
“Al Khor have been doing well of late unlike in the first phase, where
they did not have a good run. We can achieve a positive result by
staying focused and putting up a disciplined performance.”
Sellimi has coached some Tunisian clubs and replaced Yousef Adam, who
parted ways with the club following their 2-3 loss to Al Kharaitiyat
last week.
Meanwhile, Al Khor coach Nassif al-Bayawi rued the 1-2 loss against Umm Salal last week.
“We are disappointed over our loss to Umm Salal, losing three crucial
points. We have got many negative results and we could have fared better
in many matches,” he said.
“We have been working on boosting the morale of the players and we hope
positive atmosphere prevails in the team camp again. Both Al Markhiya
and we have endured bad results. After the loss to Al Kharaitiyat, Al
Markhiya have changed the coach, so we are expecting a strong reaction
from them.”
Ferreira
