Paulo Sousa, head coach of Shabab Al Ahli, confirmed during the pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s clash against Qatar’s Al Sadd in Round 6 of the AFC Champions League Elite, that both teams are eager to secure qualification to the next stage of the competition.
He stressed that the match will not be easy, as each side is determined to continue its journey in this major tournament.
Sousa described the AFC Champions League as a highly demanding competition, featuring strong rivalry among several experienced teams.
He added that Al Sadd, their opponent tomorrow, reflects the development and footballing philosophy of Qatar, and therefore boasts a number of quality local stars as well as foreign professionals.
He said:
“Al Sadd are led by a distinguished coach and a big name in world football, Roberto Mancini, which gives us extra motivation. Playing against Al Sadd, a dominant force in the Qatari league and a big, important team, is a strong incentive for us and for the players to give our best and achieve the result we are aiming for.”
He added:
“In this match, we need to be ourselves and show greater readiness and focus. I trust the players, and as a coach I always rely on the team to achieve consecutive victories. We always look to control the game, whether with or without the ball.”
