tribune news network
doha
Reigning champions Al Sadd face arch-rivals Al Rayyan in the Qatar Clasico in a QNB Stars League Week 9 match on Wednesday. Rayyan are on a high, having registered their first victory last week, against Al Sailiya (2-0). It also helped them move from last place to 11th with four points.Al Sadd are ranked ninth with seven points. Their ranks are strengthened by the return of a number of international players who played in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Coach Juan Manuel Lillo ‘Juanma’ believes it is time for the league champions to return to winning ways when they meet Al Rayyan.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Juanma said: “Looking at the 2022 FIFA World Cup from our point of view, we were more enthusiastic and passionate because we had a large number of players in the tournament.
“Regarding training, we had to complete the team with young players for more than a month and a half and, despite that, I think it was good.
“We will face a good competitor with good players, it will be a very difficult match and we need to see what the situation of our team will be with the absence of many players who are still with the national team. At the same time, some have returned but at different times, so we have to see how the situation is.
“Now we miss another large group of players who are with the national team in the Gulf Cup. The team must be stronger with the return of some players and we will strive to be at our best,” said Juanma.
Al Sadd player Jung Woo-Young said, “We will play in the upcoming matches of the league championship with full force after the return of most of the team members who represented their countries in the World Cup.
“Before the World Cup, we lost many points and now it is time to add points to our tally.
“From now on, we need to win all matches. The Qatar Clasico against Al Rayyan is the start for us and we have to win this match. There are no other options.”
Meanwhile, Al Rayyan coach Nicolas Cordova said ahead of the match, “The most important thing we know is that we will face one of the strongest teams in the league. And we must be in the best readiness to provide the best performance. We must know that the team is suffering especially on the front of professional players.
“The winter transfer period is an opportunity to strengthen the team. We have a shortage of foreign professional players, especially in the offensive line, and we must include players. We also have a shortage at the level of local players and we need three players to strengthen the defence.”
