New season will be different, says Al Sadd’s Hamid Ismail

Al Sadd star Hamid Ismail can’t wait for the new QNB Stars League season to start, saying players are looking ahead with fresh optimism after being upstaged by Lekhwiya and Duhail over the past few years.“This season will be completely different from the last, especially we have a full squad this time,” said Hamid. “This helps the coaching staff to prepare the team in a suitable manner.”He added: “Inside the camp (in Europe), everything is great and the preparation is going well. Thank God we haven’t had any injuries until now. The coaches are working on improving our physical fitness, using the two friendlies as a rehearsal for the upcoming league matches.”Asked about his two-year contract renewal with Al Sadd, Hamid said: “I am delighted to renew my contract with Al Sadd. This is the best place for me. I have played in the team since the midway point of last season, putting up a satisfactory performance and I was able to be of benefit to the team after missing the first half of the season.”Hamid also shared his thoughts on the new additions to the squad. “Jung Woo-young and Gabi Fernandez will both be great additions to the squad. Everyone knows about their capabilities. This is the first time that we have had all their players with us at the preseason camp, except for Saad al-Dosari, who we hope to have in Doha after our return. All this leads to optimism with regards to the team’s targets for the new season.“All the players are working on implementing the coaching staff’s technical instructions. Any player who plays executes his role perfectly. There is strong competition for all places and this competitive spirit is in the minds of everyone. In the end, what matters is the team’s best interests.”As for the competition from the team’s rivals in the upcoming campaign, Hamid said:  Al Duhail will be very strong, having won all the titles last season. The change of coach (Tunisian Nabil Maaloul took over after Algerian Djamel Belmadi left) won’t be an issue. Our aim is to be better and stronger. We are capable of doing that and competing for the league title from day one.”He also spoke of Al Sadd’s chances in the AFC Champions League quarter-finals. “The AFC Champions League is a special tournament for Al Sadd. We are not new to it. There have been teams at Al Sadd who have won the title in more difficult situations. We now have an important game in Iran (against Estheglal on August 27) and we will try to be at our best in front of 100,000 fans. The Al Sadd players have enough experience to come away with a positive result and go far in the tournament. We are capable of doing that and making the Qatari fans happy.”Hamid has not played for the Qatar national team of late, despite impressing with his club performances and he now wishes to return to the squad again. “In football, one doesn’t look at the age of a player but at his performances on the pitch. The upcoming phase with the club will be crucial and obviously, I aim to be in the national team like the other players. “Lately, I felt it was unfair that I wasn’t called up but I respect the coach’s decision. I have full confidence in my ability to be in the squad for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in the UAE.”Finally, Hamid had a message for the Al Sadd’s fans: “Al-Sadd fans, you make the difference in the league and are always a motivation for us in the AFC Champions League. We await you in the stadium. With you, we taste victory and achieve everything that you want.”