Paraguyan international midfielder Víctor Cáceres is set for a key role in the centre of the park when Al Rayyan take on Al Sadd in a highly anticipated Qatar Clasico match on Sunday evening at Al Sadd stadium. 
 “Matches against Al Sadd are always tough for any team in the QSL. This is a derby match and I feel that the excitement is building for the fans and the media,” he said.
“I believe we have the quality to beat Al Sadd, but this all depends on how our coach sets up the side tactically. I am expecting a tight, tough encounter,” added the midfielder, who was a key player in the Lions title win last season. 
Cáceres also revealed that his side wanted to avenge the heavy 5-0 defeat they suffered in the first half of the season to Al Sadd. 
“The defeat to Al Sadd was a huge shock for us at the time, but now we have moved on and have improved as a team, we will be looking for the three points against Al Sadd.
“Both coaches of Al Rayyan and Al Sadd are vastly experienced, although as a player I am not in a position to judge them. My only role is to work for the good of the team,” added the Paraguyan when asked about the merits of  Al Rayyan boss Michael Laudrup and Al Sadd coach Jesaldo Ferriera. 
The tough tackling midfielder also added that the mood in the Al Rayyan camp was positive heading into the Sunday evening match. “The mood is positive in the squad. We are fully focused on winning all games we play in, be that in the QSL or the AFC Champions League.”
Cáceres ended the interview revealing his side’s ambitions for the end of the season. 
“It goes without saying that we are aiming to pick up a trophy domestically, while continuing our form in the AFC Champions League. We have important games in the league, Qatar Cup and Emir Cup to consider and that will be our focus till the end of the season.” 
Meanwhile, Al Sadd attacker Hamza Sanhaji has stressed that only three points will do for his side as they head into a crunch Qatar Clasico against local rivals Al Rayyan. The Qatar youth international winger admitted that only a win would be enough for his side. 
“The game is so important for us. We still have three games. We have a chance to beat Al Rayyan, and hope that Lekhwiya can drop points against El Jaish. Right now we have to be focused on getting all three points from the match.
 “The clasico is tough match, we are second in the league right now but that does not mean we are better than Al Rayyan. The match in the first leg we won 5-0, but right now it doesn’t matter if we win by many goals; the only important thing is the three points for Al Sadd,” added Sanhaji. 
Sanhaji also stressed that everyone at the club is focusing on picking up the QSL Falcon Shield come the end of the season. “It’s important for the whole team that we win this title as we are so close. Al Sadd have not won the title in four seasons, and we hope that we can get the right results in these final games.”
The winger ended the interview with a special wish for the club’s captain to pick up his first piece of silverware in Qatar.
 “Everyone at Al Sadd also wants Xavi to lift a title with us. Xavi doesn’t need to win titles, but it would be a good thing for him to lift another trophy with us and be part of Al Sadd’s history.”