Felix Sanchez: Mistakes cost us the match against Al Ahli

Al Sadd head coach Félix Sánchez expressed his disappointment after his team’s 3-1 loss to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli in Matchday 7 of the AFC Champions League Elite.

“We knew it would be a very tough match against a strong team with quality players. We started well and scored early but couldn’t maintain our lead. We conceded avoidable goals, and everyone shares responsibility. We tried to come back but couldn’t, while Al Ahli capitalized on their chances,” Sánchez said in the post-match press conference.

“This is football—small details decided the game. We will work hard to bounce back in the upcoming matches,” he added.

When asked about concerns over Al Sadd’s tournament run after the heavy defeat, Sánchez responded, “We have already qualified, but we play to win. We have one final group match against Pakhtakor, and we will aim for victory to improve our standing.”

Regarding the impact of foreign players not participating in the domestic league, he said, “We have players dedicated to the AFC Champions League, and this affects performance. Training is different from actual matches, and this situation impacts our level. These are regulations beyond my control, but I hope they change to ensure equal playing conditions for all teams.”