Doha: Al Sadd’s Portuguese head coach Jesualdo Ferreira is confident is side can return to winning ways when they face Al Ahli in their round 17 Qatar Stars League match today.

“Al Ahli will be a challenge for us. I think we should do well despite us not having the best results recently” concluded Ferreira at his side’s pre-match press conference yesterday.

“Looking at our results on paper they look poor but that doesn’t show how well our performances have been. Despite this we have plenty of positives the players deserve better results and this will eventually come.”

Ferreira’s side lost 3-1 to Al Wakrah in the last round match.

Ferreria also noted that new signing Bagdad Bounedjah is still recovering from an injury and unavailable for selection whilst the returning Qatar U23 players will be slowly eased backed into the squad after a busy three week period for them at Qatar-based championships.”

Ferreira concluded by saying. “I have full confidence that things will be fine and the results of the team will improve starting from Al Ahli match.”

Al Ahli new coach Youssef Adam assured that he is ready to lead the side against Al Sadd indicating that he is not a stranger to Al Ahli and knows the players well.

“Al Sadd are one of the leading sides in the QSL but the match will be settled in the field and the better team will win the game. Ahli have been unlucky in recent games” Adam said.

The former El Jaish coach Adam praised the new signing the Moroccan striker Mouchine Iajour.

“He has settled well with the club and will give us an extra edge in the final third.”

Adam concluded his conference by saying: “ I would like to express my thanks to Al Ahli Club for granting me the opportunity to lead the team till the end of the season. It is a huge challenge and I am willing to give my all for this club.”

In the other match today El Jaish too will be keen to forget their last round match which they lost to Al Khor. El Jaish coach Sabri Lamouchi has called for a big leap in performance from his side in their clash with Al Kharitiyat.

“We have forgot about the Al Khor match it is time to focus on Kharitiyat I am expecting a positive performance and a strong result” remarked the French tactician at his side’s pre-match press conference.

Lamouchi also had news on some key returning players for El Jaish. “Lucas Mendez and Abdurahman Waleed should be fit for this tie. That will make a big difference to the side in the next few games.”

“Al Kharitiyat play good football and I expect them to be well organized for this match. I watched them against Lekhwiya I think they were unlucky not get a point. However we have prepared well and I have faith my team can get a positive result” Lamouchi revealed.

In contrast Al Kharaitiyat coach Amir Osim predicted a tough test for his side. “Our last two matches have been against Lekhwiya and Al Rayyan despite playing well we have zero points from these matches. We will need to work hard if we are to achieve a positive result against a team who is doing well in the league.”

“El Jaish lost in their last match against Al Khor and will be looking to avenge this. However from what I seen from their recent matches there are ways I think we can beat El Jaish” the Bosnian revealed.

Osim also revealed that Al Kharitiyat will be without talismanic striker Hassan Abdel Fattah but said that the rest of the squad is fit for the challenge of El Jaish.

Talking of changes in the transfer window for Al Kharaitiyat he said.

“We have only made one change in the transfer window. We are satisfied with our professional players at this club; I think that minimal changes in the winter window are for the best of the club. We don’t want to make lots of changes which could affect the harmony of the side. Playing with the same group will stabilize us in the long term; I only see that as a good thing for Al Kharitiyat.”

The Peninsula