Gulf Times
Jesualdo Ferreira has confirmed this will be his last season as Al Sadd coach while urging fans to turn up in large numbers for the club’s AFC Champions League Group D match against Saudi giants Al Ahli at the Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Stadium today.
The match will begin at 9.45pm. The veteran Portuguese tactician guided The Wolves to their 14th league title last month and is now serving out the final weeks of his contract, having joined the team in November 2015. “I’m proud of this group of players and their ability to win in all games. My message to the fans is come in large numbers tomorrow and show support for the players,” Ferreira said at his prematch press conference yesterday. “My contract with the team will end after this season. A new coach will take the reins and I wish him all the best. Al Sadd currently rely on big players, who are going to lead the team alongside the new coach,” added the 72-year-old. Al Sadd are leading Group D with seven points, one more than Al Ahli. Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor are third with five points, one ahead of Iran’s Persepolis. Al Sadd started off this year’s competition on a losing note as they were at the receiving end of a 0-2 verdict against Al Ahli. The Wolves beat Persepolis 1-0 in the second round. Holding Pakhtakor 2-2 and then beating them 2-1 back-to-back was a creditable achievement for Al Sadd, whose morale is high after clinching its record-extending 14th Qatar league title. They have also reached the Amir Cup semi-final by beating Al Gharafa 4-2 in the last-eight stage. Al Sadd take on Al Rayyan in the last four on 11th May. Against Al Ahli, Al Sadd will get back the services of defender Pedro Miguel and striker Akram A? f, who both missed their last game against Pakhtakor due to suspension. The Wolves’ ? rst-choice goalkeeper Saad al-Dossari may also play after missing their Amir Cup quarter-? nal against Al Gharafa. Al Sadd boast of the likes of Xavi Hernandez, Baghdad Bounedjah, Abdulkarim Hassan, Hamed Ismail, Boualem Khoukhi and Tarek Salman. Ferreira added that Al Sadd’s loss to Al Ahli in the previous ? xture was a thing of the past. “We lost against Al Ahli in our first game but it wasn’t a fair result for us. We have now won the league title and the players are highly motivated. The month of May could be crucial for us, both domestically and in Asia. “This is our last game at home in the group stage and so it is very important for us. Winning it will take us to the next round. Al Sadd always impress at home. “Tomorrow’s game will be fully different from the away. All that we are trying for us to get the three points to increase the gap between us and them to four and to secure qualification.” Al Sadd’s star player Bounedjah also appealed to fans to show up in full force. “I hope the Al Sadd fans attend in huge numbers, like they are used to doing, and help the team to victory and quali? cation for the next round.” Meanwhile, Al Duhail take on Iran’s Esteghlal’s in Group C today in Tehran. Rui Faria’s men can confirm their place in the next round with a draw, provided Al Hilal defeat Al Ain in the other fixture. Goals from Medhi Benatia, Youssef El Arabi and Ali Afif had given Al Duhail a perfect start to the campaign with a 3-0 win over Esteghlal in the reverse fixture two months ago.