Alkass Digital
Captain Hassan Al Haydos and striker Baghdad Bounedjah were on target as Qatar’s Al Sadd played out an exciting 2-2 draw against Raja Club Athletic of Morocco at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha yesterday.
In an important game before their King Salman Club Cup challenge, the Bruno Pinheiro-coached side, sporting their newly-launched home kit for the 2023-24 season, got off to a strong start and took the lead through Al Haydos’ strike in 29th minute.
Bounedjah struck four minutes later to double the advantage for the hosts.
The Moroccan side bounced back after the interval with defender Abdellah Khafifi reducing the deficit in 55th minute. Raja Club Athletic leveled the scores through midfielder Yousri Bouzok in 68th minute.
From left: Al Sadd’s Amin Hazbavi, Mateus Uribe, Paulo Otavio and Giovani Henrique during their unveiling yesterday.
Al Sadd will now continue their training before starting their campaign for the King Salman Club Cup.
They are in Group B of the 16-team event along with Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, Morocco’s Wydad AC and Al Ahli Tripoli of Libya. The tournament will be played from July 27 to August 12.
Meanwhile, Al Sadd, ahead of the friendly, unveiled their new players – Brazilians Paulo Otavio and Giovani Henrique besides Iranian defender Amin Hazbavi and Colombia’s Mateus Uribe – at a press conference yesterday.
“We wish all players success and hope they will contribute in Al Sadd’s achievements in the new season,” Al Sadd General Manager Turki Nasser Al Ali said at a press conference.
Al Sadd remained trophy-less after they started the 2022-23 season without players who were on national duties at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. They finished third in the top flight QSL behind champions Al Duhail and runners-up Al Arabi.
“We played seven matches in absence of our key players in the last season and despite that we were able to compete for the titles. We promise our fans that we will give our best to win trophies in the upcoming season,” he added.
Al Sadd’s Head of the Football Authority Muhammad Ghanem Al Ali and Al Sadd Sports Director Muhammad Ghulam Al Balushi were also present.
The new Al Sadd players vowed to produce their best performance to help the side return to winning ways.
“Al Sadd Club is one of the big clubs, and I am looking forward to lift trophies with my side,” said defender Hazbavi.
Brazil’s Henrique, who played for Palmeiras, said his aim was to win maximum titles in Al Sadd colours.
“My ambition is to win maximum titles with Al Sadd and play my part in it. There is no doubt that I want to play in European leagues but my current focus is to give my best show in Qatar,” he said.