Al Sadd coach Felix Sanchez spoke to the media ahead of their 2024-2025 season Ooredoo Stars League Week 1 match against Al Shamal.

“The first match in the league is always special and difficult. It is important to show a good performance, to start in a good way. We know that the match will be difficult like all matches in the league.

“We need to prepare for the Al Shamal match and we are optimistic about getting a good result. Of course, this is our first match, but we worked with the players and played some friendly matches, especially the last match that we played at home in front of our fans against the Egyptian Ismaili team.

“The team needs to continue working and developing. We are waiting for Al Sadd fans in the stadium from the first match so that the team feels their presence and support.

“We notice that every year the league becomes more competitive, all teams prepare well and have good players and distinguished technical staff, so things have become more difficult, we will do our best to try to repeat what the team achieved last season,” said Sanchez.

Al Sadd captain Hassan Al Haydous said, “Our preparation period in Spain went off well and the team is ready for the start of the season. Like in every season, Al Sadd look forward to winning the title and the beginning is always important for us.

“Al Shamal have strengthened their ranks with distinguished players and we hope to appear in a good way and collect the three points. The competition this season will be more difficult than previous years and we are ready for it.

“Al Sadd play to win all championships every season and the league title is one of our most important goals.”