Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez has said winning the Amir Cup is a matter of high priority for the team as they take on Al Wakrah in today’s quarter-final at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Xavi said: “We are ready for the match against Al Wakrah in the Amir Cup quarter-finals; our goal is to compete for title as our situation in the league is bad. We have had intense training to prepare for this match. The Amir Cup championship means a lot to us.” He added: “Al Wakrah defeated us in the league and they have an excellent coach and great players. We are trying to reach the final and to give our best performance.”
“We are performing well but we are not winning, and this is football. We give our everything in matches. This is how we play and we must now be effective. I only worry when we do not create opportunities, when we possess and dominate, but not score. We must improve our performance.
“The game against Al Wakrah is like a final. As for this season so far, we have been doing well, winning the Qatar Cup and reaching the Champions League semi-final. We are only in a difficult spot in the league. The Amir Cup title is very important to us and winning it will make this an excellent season for us.”
As for the defeat in the Amir Cup final last season as a player and his ability to reach it this season as a coach, Xavi said: “In football there is always an opportunity for revenge. My last match as a player was different after the defeat to Al Duhail in the final but now, it’s a new season, with a new coach and new players and everyone is waiting for this season’s final, which will definitely be in a new World Cup stadium.”
On the absence of fans in the upcoming matches, the coach said: “This is sad. We are playing for them and there is no meaning for football without the fans. It will be very difficult as if it is a friendly match. But the State of Qatar decided to close schools and nurseries and my opinion was to close everything in order to get rid of this virus but I am not the decision maker.”
Al Sadd’s first team player Hussam Kamal spoke of the importance of his side’s upcoming game against Al Wakrah. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Hussam said: “The Amir Cup is an opportunity to compensate for the league.”
He added: “The Amir Cup championship is prestigious for everyone. Cup matches require everyone to focus and take advantage of any chance to score. Al Wakrah is a strong opponent and we will look to provide our best performance in order to qualify.”
Al Sadd coach Xavi (R) and player Hussam Kamal at their pre-match press conference yesterday.
