The Peninsula
Al Sadd will face Al Sailiya in their QNB Stars League Round 14 match today as the defending champions aim to narrow the gap between them and League leaders Al Duhail.
However, coach Xavi Hernandez sounded cautious at the pre-match press conference, saying that they will face a ‘difficult task’ in today's match.
“Al Sailiya are a strong side led by a coach with great experience in the QSL, so facing them will be difficult. They are also one of the teams that provide good matches and good levels, as they did against Iranian team Shahr Khodro, regardless of their loss in penalty shoot-out, in the AFC Champions League play-off,” Xavi said.
“We had a difficult time before we won our first-leg game against Al Sailiya by a 3-1 margin. This time too, I expect a tough game against them,” he added.
Xavi said his team is sailing through a good phase and he wants to maintain the winning streak.
“We are now going through a good stage, but the task is still difficult, especially because the difference between us and Al Duhail is six points. We are waiting for the result of the match between Al Duhail and Al Rayyan in this round.”
Al Sadd have 27 points from 13 matches and are in the third position while Al Duhail are with 33 points from 13 matches.
“There is no other choice than beating Al Sailiya if we have to be in strong contention for the title. We are motivated for the 2020 AFC Champions League as well, but we are focused on the QNB Stars League,” said Xavi.
Meanwhile, Al Sailiya will be hoping to overcome the disappointment of not making it to the AFC Champions League main draw.
“Al Sadd are a very strong team that has recorded victories by big margins over big teams. At the same time, they have also lost by big margins. So that proves they are inconsistent in their performances. They beat stronger teams, but either drew or lost against less strong teams, “ coach Sami Trabelsi said.
“We have tried to correct some mistakes. God willing, we will be at the high level of focus and provide a good level. We have a problem with ball possession and we will try to resolve it. This is football and this may be a bad time for us, like any other team,” he added.
Trabelsi said his team, which is currently in the fifth place with 17 points from 13 matches, behind fourth place Al Arabi, 19 points from 14 matches, is targeting a place among the top four.
“Our ambition is still great, we hope to reach the top four and also compete in the Amir Cup.
“Regarding our exit from the AFC Champions League, frankly, I saw the players’ tears in the dressing room after the match as we were hoping to qualify for the group stage. There is no doubt that the exit affected the team, but we must forget that match and focus on the next one,” said Trabelsi.