DOHA: Retention of key members, top signings and rigorous training constituted Al Sadd’s preparations for the new season as the most successful club in Qatar’s football history is desperately eyeing major trophies in 2017-18.
The Wolves will start their season tomorrow when they will square off with Al Kharaitiyat in their first QNB Stars League (QSL) match at Khalifa International Stadium. Al Sadd were just confined to season-opening Sheikh Jassim Cup victory as they finished runners-up in the QSL as well as in Qatar Cup, and lost in the semi-final of Amir’s Cup.
But in the presence of top players under a seasoned coach, Al Sadd will start as joint favourites to win the QSL’s Falcon Shield, along with reigning champions Al Duhail and former champions Al Rayyan. Al Sadd have won the most number of QSL titles with 13 triumphs but their last trophy came back in 2012-13 season, making them desperate to end the trophy drought.
Apart from targeting the domestic treble, The Wolves will be hoping to do well in the AFC Champions League quarter-finals, where they are drawn against Iran’s Esteghlal.
Despite a below-par performance in the previous season by their standards, Al Sadd management retained veteran Portuguese coach Jesualdo Ferreira for another year to ensure stability in the squad.
Ferreira, who is laying special emphasis on AFC Champions League, said the domestic challenges will also be tough for his side.
“I don’t think that the competition will be limited to just Al Sadd and Al Duhail but Al Rayyan will also be present as a third side. I think Al Gharafa will also be there to compete, and not like last season when they came up in the end but right from the start of the season. We believe we have the capability to win and we must achieve that,” he said.
Al Sadd’s poster boy, Xavi Hernandez will also continue to perform for them as captain after the Spanish and Barcelona legend signed for two more seasons with the club.
The club also succeeded in roping Spanish player Gabi Fernandez on a two-year contract, with an option to extend for an additional year.
The 35-year-old Spaniard came through the Atletico Madrid youth ranks before going on to play for Getafe and Real Zaragoza. He then returned to Atletico Madrid in 2011 and rose to become captain of the club, leading them to a La Liga title, a Copa del Rey win and two Champions League finals, in addition to winning the Europa League twice.
A deal with South Korean star Jung Woo-young is another key signing for Al Sadd ahead of the new season. The 28-year-old, who appeared at the 2018 and 2014 World Cups, signed to play for Al Sadd for three years. The combination of international stars and national icons like Hassan Al Haydos, Akram Afif and Saad Al Dosari will make The Wolves a force to reckon with.
To prepare for the upcoming season, Al Sadd underwent a strenuous two-week training tour of Austria under coach Ferreira.
They also played friendly games to gain match practice prior to the new season and exhibited form during these matches. In their final friendly, Xavi’s men thrashed Slovenian side NK Krka 8-1 in Bad Haring, Austria before returning home last week.
“Practice has been excellent and our goal has been to reach peak levels of technical and physical fitness ahead of the new season,” new signing Fernandez said.
“The level of training is high, especially there are many excellent players in the team, such as the captain Xavi, the striker Baghdad Bounedjah, Afif and others. I expect the coordination between the players to improve further as we near the start of the competition,” said the 35-year-old midfielder.
After returning from Austria, Al Sadd players underwent a physical fitness test at the Aspire Academy to ensure full fitness.
With solid combination including top international players and national talent, a fully-fit Al Sadd squad will definitely be a threat for international and domestic rivals in new season.
