Xavi hails ‘unbelievable performance’

Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez expressed his delight at the ‘unbelievable performance’ of his side which helped the Qatari club reach the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League with a 4-3 aggregate victory over Al Nassr.

Al Sadd lost the first leg 1-2 in Riyadh but bounced back to win the second leg 3-1 at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on Monday to go through to the next stage for the second consecutive year.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Xavi said: “Thanks to all those who congratulated us for the win. We are very happy with the result and the excellent performance. We gave an unbelievable performance. In the first leg, we did not play well but we did what was required tonight and we deserve to go through. The players have a winning mentality and they will continue like this in the upcoming games.”

“I took up the Al Sadd coaching role only a month and a half back. I am very happy with what we have achieved,” he added.

The coach also said: “We managed to control the game and so I was not too worried. It was one of the best matches we have played this season.”

“I take this opportunity to salute the fans whose support was excellent. They are one of the reasons for this win. They were part of the game today. Their support had a clear effect on the players, and on me as well. We need them not only in these matches but throughout the season. They are fans who want to win titles and we will win titles with them. They were brilliant today.”

 Xavi also praised man-of-the-match Hassan Al Haydos, saying: “Al Haydos is an example. I told him many times that he is an excellent role model. He has leadership qualities. Gabi may wear the captain’s armband but Al Haydos is a true leader. He is one of the best players in the Middle East, and not just Qatar.”

Al Haydos was in the thick of all action and scored the second of Al Sadd’s three goals in Monday’s clash.

Speaking to the media after the game, Al Haydos said: “This win did not come about easily. It required a lot of effort from the Al Sadd players. We got a very important victory which took us to the semi-finals.”

Haydos said a pep talk during the halftime break brought out the best from the team members as the scores were tied 1-1.

“The coach spoke to us calmly. Xavi told us something very important which increased our desire to win: he said that he trusts us and that we should enjoy our game. Without a doubt, those words were a boost to the players. We played excellently in the second half and we clinched victory,” Al Haydos said.

“The performance today was better than the away leg and we are happy that we have won this game. I want to thank all those who came to support us; it was an ideal atmosphere. The fans were the biggest stars behind this victory,” he added.