Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira (centre) and Al Sadd midfielder Gabi Fernandez (left) during a pre-match press conference yesterday.
DOHA: Al Sadd players are ‘fit and raring to score early’ in the first leg of AFC Champions League semi-final against Iranian giants Persepolis today, team coach Jesualdo Ferreira said yesterday.
Former Asian champions Al Sadd have smashed 10 goals in their last two QNB Stars League matches.
“We played a big game just three days ago. We won that match (5-1). We are ready. The players are confident,” seasoned coach Ferreira said yesterday at a pre-match press conference at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
“My players know that they have to focus for 90 minutes. Our target is to score early goals and not concede any in return,” he said.
“All the Al Sadd players want to participate in this game. If a player is not fit, he will still say ‘I am ready’ because he doesn’t want to miss out on such a huge game. All the players are ready to offer their best in this very important match,” the Portuguese said.
“There was no special preparations for this game. We are focusing on the mental side of the preparation. The players have appeared in such matches before. Al Sadd has played three semi-finals before this. The club has won two titles. We are only trying to motivate the players to give their best because we know the strength of the Iranian team,” Ferreira said.
“We do not feel pressure before this match. We are trying to be positive and the players of Al Sadd know they can be in the final. This is the dream we are trying to achieve,” Ferreira said.
Al Sadd coach said fans must know that the way to the final is battling through the two legs of the semi-final.
“We have to think only about the first leg. But we still have to remember that the second leg will be in Iran (on October 23) so the first match is important to us. It is not a points competition but a two-game competition,” Ferreira said.
Ferriera will be banking on the rich scoring form of feared strikers Baghdad Bounedjah and young Akram Afif. Al Sadd will be captained by Barca legend Xavi. The club will also have the services of Gabi Fernandez, the defensive midfielder from Atletico Madrid.
“It is a match not only for Al Sadd fans to cheer about. It is a game that every Qatari football fan should feel proud about and back the Al Sadd team. We are very motivated to win and qualify for the final. All the players are fully prepared and motivated to do well,” Gabi said yesterday.
“We, as experienced players, are always trying to share our experience with young players and cultivate their winning mentality. When I was at Atletico Madrid, I was playing to win and win titles. I still have the same mentality,” he added.
Meanwhile, Persepolis head coach Branko Ivankovic pointed out that his team had reached their second successive semi-final in Asia.
“Persepolis are the only team to reach semis for the second successive year. It shows we are progressing well,” Ivankovic told.
“We are excited for the match against Al Sadd in the semi-finals,” he added.
Two weeks ago, Persepolis beat Qatari outfit Al Duhail 3-2 on aggregate thanks to a 3-1 win in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium. Al Sadd, on the other hand, beat Estaghlal of Iran, to qualify for the semi-final.
“We will not change our philosophy in the match against Al Sadd. We will play attacking football and I have trust in my players. We are optimistic about this match,” said Ivankovic.
“Persepolis fans like to win the AFC Champions League and we will do our best to do that,” Ivankovic said.
Ferreira yesterday said: “I urge the fans to turn out in large numbers. Their support is important to us.”
The match kicks off at 6:15pm today.
