Baghdad Bounedjah was a livewire on Wednesday night as the Al Sadd forward caused havoc in Hienghene Sport’s back line. The Algerian put in a Man-of-the-Match performance and scored the opening goal as the hosts beat the New Caledonian team 3-1 in their opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
Bounedjah fired his side ahead in the 25th minute when he tucked home a cross from Abdelkarim Hassan, and should have had more on the night. Hienghene made it difficult for Sadd after Amy Roine struck after half time to draw level.
But Hassan’s powerfully converted indirect free-kick set them on the way to victory in extra time, with Pedro Miguel adding an insurance goal with six minutes remaining. Bounedjah said the victory was hard-fought but added his team had no doubt they would win the encounter.
“We could’ve scored three in the first half and then it would’ve been a different story, but luck wasn’t on our side. We also missed some very easy chances due to lack of focus in front of goal,” Bounedjah told FIFA.com.
“We didn’t doubt our ability to win today as we controlled the game from beginning to end. They got their goal from their only chance. We fought back and scored the second after missing more than five chances. We were able to kill the game in extra time,” he added.
Al Sadd now turn their attention to tomorrow’s encounter against Mexican side Monterrey, a side that on paper at least arrive with a greater pedigree than the debutants from New Caledonia. “We focused on our first match against Hienghene,” said Bounedjah. “Now it’s over and we are through to the second round we will think about the Monterrey game. We will need to be more switched-on if we want to beat them and progress to the semi-final.”
Having gotten close to two goals per game on the way to winning the title in April, Bounedjah gave his take on why he has been less prolific than usual in front of goal so far this season. “After the Africa Cup of Nations, I went back to training right away and didn’t rest well,” he said.
“That’s why I haven’t scored as many goals as last year, but I am working hard to regain my best form.”
Bounedjah’s strike against Hienghene Sport could be the first of more to come in the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019. Having found the net twice recently on international duty for Algeria, Bounedjah is hoping for a strong end to a year that has been full of highs.
“I won the Africa Cup of Nations,” he said. “I reached the AFC Champions League’s semi-final too, but we couldn’t make to the final. I am now taking part in the FIFA Club World Cup so I can say that 2019 has been an exceptional year for me.”
When asked about Al Sadd’s aims in a tournament that is being played at home in Qatar, Bounedjah concluded: “We will do all we can to win the title and if we do that will be great. If not, we know that’s football.”
Midfielder Hassan al-Haydos, who had a goal disallowed for off side, felt Sadd has to put in a much better show against Monterrey. “We are glad to have qualified for the second round. I hope that the performance in the next match will improve for us to qualify for the semi-finals. All the players need to work hard to help the team to win. The game against Monterrey will be more difficult than the Hienghene game,” he said.


Muscle injury rules al-Ansari out for three weeks
Meanwhile, Al Sadd forward Abdulaziz al-Ansari has been ruled out of action for three week with a muscle injury in his left foot. Al-Ansari sustained injury during the first half against Hienghene Sport and had to be replaced by al-Haydos in the 25th minute.
Tests revealed the extent of the injury in al-Ansari’s left foot, with the team’s medical staff determining a three-week period of rest, treatment and recuperation before he can rejoin the team for training.
Sadd resumed training yesterday ahead of the game against Mexican side Monterrey in the second round. The coaching staff set light running exercises as recovery for the group of players who had appeared in Wednesday’s game, while the rest of the team underwent physical and technical training drills. There was also a practice mini-game between the players. Another round of training will be held today.
Meanwhile, former Al Sadd star Felipe Jorge visited the team at their training session. The Brazilian maestro was given a cordial reception by the players and staff.