Al sadd: Al Sadd coach Roberto Mancini said his team would be fully committed to victory when they face Al Gharafa in the final of the 54th edition of the Amir Cup at Khalifa International Stadium, on Saturday.
According to Qatar News Agency, Mancini said the traditions and history of Al Sadd, as one of Qatar's most successful clubs, required the team to always compete for titles and aim for the podium. He added that all players were ready for the match and determined to secure the trophy.
Mancini stated that the encounter would not be easy against a strong Al Gharafa side that possesses talented players and a capable technical staff. He noted that Al Gharafa had led the league standings for a long period before Al Sadd mounted a comeback and eventually won the title, which, he said, highlighted the quality of their opponents. He added that Al Sadd would need to produce their best performance in order to achieve their objective.
The Italian coach also stressed that finals are usually decided by fine margins and require maximum concentration. He said his players needed to remain fully focused to win a title that carries great importance in Qatari football.
Regarding the fitness of Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino, who missed the semi-final against Al Duhail through injury, Mancini explained that the player had been sidelined because of a knock but would be available for the final. He also praised Firmino's influence on the team, highlighting his experience and technical quality.
Meanwhile, Al Sadd captain Hassan Al Haydos said playing in the final of a prestigious competition such as the Amir Cup was a great honor for him and his teammates. He added that the squad was fully prepared and focused on securing victory.
Al Haydos said the team's ambition was to win the title and complete the domestic double after already clinching the Qatar Stars League crown. He explained that the players had prepared in the best possible way despite the demanding schedule and the short turnaround between matches, adding that they expected another difficult contest against a strong Al Gharafa side.
The Al Sadd captain also said the club's supporters would once again play an important role in motivating the players during the final, while the squad would do everything possible to make the fans happy.
Al Sadd, the most successful club in Amir Cup history with 19 titles, 10 more than their closest rivals Al Arabi, are aiming to complete the domestic double after winning the Qatar Stars League title this season.