DOHA: Al Sadd head coach Jesualdo Ferreira (pictured) was thrilled to see his side’s 5-0 thrashing of Al Ahli in the QNB Stars League (QSL) on Sunday.
Algerian striker Baghdad Bounedjah scored four times on Sunday in the Wolves’ big win over Al Ahli at the Al Sadd Stadium to take his tally of this season’s goals to 12. Bounedjah scored in the 5th, 43rd, 75th and 72nd minutes of the match.
Speaking at the post-game press conference, Ferreira expressed his delight with the big result that Al Sadd achieved.
“This is a big result and a deserved three points for us. There were some tired players and we could have performed even better. This will be the situation until the end of April. We need to keep working. I hope nobody gets injured,” Ferreira said.
The Portuguese coach also said: “The players gave a great performance and this is a fair result. They are suffering not just physically but mentally as well, because of the pressure of playing on two fronts - at home and in Asia. I am happy that they have dealt with this pressure.”
Sunday’s victory also lifted Al Sadd’s points tally to 46, just two behind the QSL leaders Al Duhail.
“I want to congratulate all the players and especially Bounedjah, who scored four goals. Some top goals corers cannot score four goals in a game like him,” Ferreira said.
“We played a different lineup from the last game. As coaches, we have our own views and we deal with games in particular ways. Al Sadd are playing domestically and in Asia as well and rotating players is in the best interests of the team.”
“It is not easy to keep a player at his best level in all games. As coaching staff, we need to help them in this, in order to maintain the balance of the team,” the Portuguese tactician said.
Al Sadd will meet the high-flying Al Duhail on Friday in their Round 19 encounter and coach Ferreira said that the win against Al Ahli was a big boost ahead of the crucial game against Al Duhail.
“This win will boost us ahead of the upcoming game against Al Duhail, which will be very crucial for the Al Sadd team,” he added.
Al Duhail had won 4-2 in the first phase but Xavi Hernandez-led Al Sadd are looking unstoppable. Both have the same number of victories (15) in the League so far.
Al Duhail have scored 68 goals and conceded 20 while Al Sadd have 55 for and 17 against.
In the AFC Champions League, both teams have won their respective matches and are on course to qualify for the knockout stage.
