Al Sadd have trained their guns on retaining the prestigious Amir Cup – the 50th edition of which will begin Sunday. The QNB Stars League leaders are on a record 43-match unbeaten streak but their coach Javi Gracia is aware that nothing can be taken for granted..
Xavi Hernandez made a tearful farewell to Al Sadd after the head coach was released by Qatar club to join Barcelona last week. The Spanish midfielder arrived in Qatar in 2015 to play for Al Sadd and after handing up his boots, coached the team for two years.
CEO of Al Sadd SC Turki Al Ali confirmed that the management of his team is still committed to the Spanish coach Xavi Hernandez at the head of the team, in light of the visit of the Barcelona delegation to Doha in order to finalize the signing of Xavi Hernandez as the new coach of FC Barcelona.
Al Sadd stayed on course for their 18th Amir Cup title after an emphatic 3-0 win over Al Arabi put them in the final of the prestigious tournament’s 49th edition Sunday.
Al Sadd head coach Xavi was thrilled after his side beat Al Wehdat 2-0 to stay in sight of the 2021 AFC Champions League Round of 16.
Coach Felix Sanchez named a squad of 28 players who will be traveling to Hungary for Qatar’s European qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
There is no stopping Al Sadd and Xavi Hernandez. Since Xavi took over the Qatari football giant in May 2019, the Spaniard had to endure some difficult moments in his maiden managerial role.
The Qatar Football Association on Sunday announced that star Al Sadd player Akram Afif has been fined QR30,000 and banned for two matches for criticizing the referee in comments made to the media.
Even though Al Sadd have swatted aside all opposition this season, Xavi Hernandez makes it a point to acknowledge his team’s rivals before every match, often paying them generous tribute for the way they compete or for the potential they hold.
Reigning champions Al Sadd were too good for the second division side Muaither as they romped to a 7-0 win in the last 16 match of the Amir Cup Tuesday.
The 2020-21 season QNB Stars League reached precisely the halfway mark with the conclusion of Week 11 action on December 27 and 28, 2020. As many as 17 goals were scored.
Nakilat has assumed full ship management and operations of Q-Flex LNG (liquefied natural gas) carrier Al Sadd from Shell International Trading and Shipping Company (Shell) with effect from Thursday.