We hope to continue unbeaten at the top, says Xavi ahead of Al Sadd’s clash against Al Ahli

Tribune News Network Doha Al Sadd head coach Xavi Hernandez confirmed his players’ readiness for the upcoming game against Al-Ahli in Round 8 of the QNB St...

Tribune News NetworkDohaAl Sadd head coach Xavi Hernandez confirmed his players’ readiness for the upcoming game against Al-Ahli in Round 8 of the QNB Stars League, which is to be played at Thani bin Jassim Stadium on Saturday evening.Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Thursday, Xavi said: “It’s a very important game, and Al Ahli will be a strong opponent for us, because they need to collect more points. They’re a a good team that deserves a better place in the table.”He added: “We cannot relax. We made some mistakes in the previous matches. Three points against Al Ahli will be very important before we face Al Duhail in Round 9.”Xavi continued: “All the upcoming matches are strong and difficult. We hope to continue unbeaten at the top of the table. All the matches are difficult, as everyone gives their best against us. We will make sure that all our players are ready to play the match.”Regarding the team’s readiness, he said: “We are going through a good period after the victory over Umm Salal, and we cannot relax because Al Ahli is a good team with great players, and therefore it will be very difficult to face them. But we are Al Sadd and we always aim to win.”As for the news in the media about his departure from the team to Barcelona, the Al Sadd coach said: “I am currently focused on my work with Al Sadd, and I cannot talk about anything else.”Al Sadd defender Tarek Salman, meanwhile, Tarek said: “The games against Al Ahli requires great focus from all the players, after we got what was required in the previous match against Umm Salal.”He added: “We deal with each match separately, and we thank God for our success in winning the Amir Cup, and then getting the three points against Umm Salal in the last game. Our goal will be to continue winning against Al Ahli.”On the other hand, Al Ahli will be required to do more to confront the leaders of the standings in order to get the best positive result, in light of their failure to achieve any win in the league thus far.The Brigadiers, coached by Montenegrin Nebojsa Jovovic, have a goal difference of -2 (four goals for and six against).Al Ahli, Umm Salal and Al Khor are the only teams yet to register a victory in this season’s league. Al Ahli had come close to achieving a win in the last round, but for the late equalizer by Al Arabi.Al Sadd have a star-studded line-up even though they may miss the services of the injured duo of Boualem Khoukhi and Akram Afif.Al Ahli have the likes of goalkeeper Ivanildo Rodriguez, Jassem Mohammed, Hussein Kanaani, Ali Qaderi, Marko Jevtovic, Patrick Eze, Abdulrashid Ibrahim and Soufiane Bouftini.