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Ayeni Olusegun
Doha
Al Sadd laid down the marker for the new season after a convinving 4-2 aggregate win over Al Duhail in the AFC Champions League. The win sets up a quarter-final place for the Wolves and the QNB Stars League champions seem to have not lost stride despite handing over affairs of the club to a rookie coach in Xavi Hernandez.
Over both legs in the Round of 16, Al Sadd were the better side as Al Duhail despite creating opportunities failed to impress in front of goal. Sadd on the other hand, were clinical as Akram Afif, Nam Tae-hee, Baghdad Bounedjah ran the Duhail defence to the ground.
“I am very happy to qualify for the next stage. We played for the win from the first minute. Our only goal was to get the victory. We want to thank the fans, who supported us in both legs.
“We still have a lot of work to do. We need to prepare for the Super Cup match, which we wish to win as well. The team’s objective is to compete for all the titles, both in the Champions League and at ome. We hope fortune will be on our side,” Bounedjah said.
Both teams will meet again on Saturday for the season-opening Sheikh Jassim Cup which Al Sadd have won a record 14 times.
The Wolves had earlier in May lost the Amir Cup final to Duhail but a win again on Saturday – would most likely dictate affairs for the coming season with Al Sadd and Al Duhail expected to battle it out. But Xavi’s team have kept the core players of the title-winning team while adding Nam Tae-hee.
However, Al Duhail lost prolific striker Yousef El Arabi to Greek giants Olympiacos while Japanese star who blossomed in the Red Knights midfield last season, completed a move to FC Porto.
Speaking after the game at the Jassim Bun Hamad Stadium on Tuesday, Al Sadd coach Xavi expressed his delight over his team’s performance and progress in the competition.
“We are very happy to qualify for the quarter-finals. I am very happy with the team because they did an outstanding job.
“As I had said earlier, Al Duhail are one of the best teams in the Middle East with players who have played together for 7-8 years. So our achievement is amazing.”
The win also sealed Al Sadd’s place in the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup, which will be played in Qatar in December.
The Spaniard, who took charge of Al Sadd as head coach after having served them as a player for four seasons, said his team had shown consistency over both legs.
“Our players gave an unbelievable performance over the two games. At Al Wakrah in the first leg, we were the better side but today, we were only good in the first half.”
“They made things very difficult for us in the second half. We created and missed chances but I have been working on a new philosophy with the team for the last three weeks.
“I am very happy that we have qualified, I am very happy for the players. Our work continues now, next up we have the Sheikh Jassim Cup match (the Qatar season opener against Al Duhail),” he added.
On the quarter-final clash with Al Nassr, Xavi said: “It will be a tough game against Al Nassr, we saw their game – they have excellent players but our aim will be to reach the semis.
“But now, the team is celebrating and we will then think about the Sheikh Jassim Cup, after that, the league and then, the AFC Champions League.”
The Saudi side will host the first leg on August 26 with the second leg three weeks later in Doha.
Doha
Al Sadd laid down the marker for the new season after a convinving 4-2 aggregate win over Al Duhail in the AFC Champions League. The win sets up a quarter-final place for the Wolves and the QNB Stars League champions seem to have not lost stride despite handing over affairs of the club to a rookie coach in Xavi Hernandez.
Over both legs in the Round of 16, Al Sadd were the better side as Al Duhail despite creating opportunities failed to impress in front of goal. Sadd on the other hand, were clinical as Akram Afif, Nam Tae-hee, Baghdad Bounedjah ran the Duhail defence to the ground.
“I am very happy to qualify for the next stage. We played for the win from the first minute. Our only goal was to get the victory. We want to thank the fans, who supported us in both legs.
“We still have a lot of work to do. We need to prepare for the Super Cup match, which we wish to win as well. The team’s objective is to compete for all the titles, both in the Champions League and at ome. We hope fortune will be on our side,” Bounedjah said.
Both teams will meet again on Saturday for the season-opening Sheikh Jassim Cup which Al Sadd have won a record 14 times.
The Wolves had earlier in May lost the Amir Cup final to Duhail but a win again on Saturday – would most likely dictate affairs for the coming season with Al Sadd and Al Duhail expected to battle it out. But Xavi’s team have kept the core players of the title-winning team while adding Nam Tae-hee.
However, Al Duhail lost prolific striker Yousef El Arabi to Greek giants Olympiacos while Japanese star who blossomed in the Red Knights midfield last season, completed a move to FC Porto.
Speaking after the game at the Jassim Bun Hamad Stadium on Tuesday, Al Sadd coach Xavi expressed his delight over his team’s performance and progress in the competition.
“We are very happy to qualify for the quarter-finals. I am very happy with the team because they did an outstanding job.
“As I had said earlier, Al Duhail are one of the best teams in the Middle East with players who have played together for 7-8 years. So our achievement is amazing.”
The win also sealed Al Sadd’s place in the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup, which will be played in Qatar in December.
The Spaniard, who took charge of Al Sadd as head coach after having served them as a player for four seasons, said his team had shown consistency over both legs.
“Our players gave an unbelievable performance over the two games. At Al Wakrah in the first leg, we were the better side but today, we were only good in the first half.”
“They made things very difficult for us in the second half. We created and missed chances but I have been working on a new philosophy with the team for the last three weeks.
“I am very happy that we have qualified, I am very happy for the players. Our work continues now, next up we have the Sheikh Jassim Cup match (the Qatar season opener against Al Duhail),” he added.
On the quarter-final clash with Al Nassr, Xavi said: “It will be a tough game against Al Nassr, we saw their game – they have excellent players but our aim will be to reach the semis.
“But now, the team is celebrating and we will then think about the Sheikh Jassim Cup, after that, the league and then, the AFC Champions League.”
The Saudi side will host the first leg on August 26 with the second leg three weeks later in Doha.
