Felix Sanchez, head coach of Al-Sadd, confirmed his team’s readiness to face Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale in the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League Elite 2024-2025.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Sanchez said: “We are among the top eight clubs in Asia. We have arrived in Saudi Arabia and are preparing to face Kawasaki. We know it will be a tough match, but the players are ready, and we aim to deliver a good performance and achieve a positive result.”
The Spanish coach added: “We trust in our abilities. We are not talking about winning the title yet because tomorrow’s match is like a final for us, and we must win it first.”
He continued: “We will approach the Kawasaki match as if it were a final. After that, we’ll focus on the next match. We have to take it step by step, and right now, all our focus is on tomorrow’s game.”
Sanchez also pointed out: “Claudinho recently joined us, and he adapted quickly to the team. He’s performing at a high level, and the teamwork around him makes his task easier. He is an important player, and his value will show in tomorrow’s match and in the upcoming games.”
He concluded: “Yes, I have faced the Japanese national team before as a coach, but now we are in a different competition and under different circumstances. We have studied Kawasaki in the J-League — they are a team with many solutions and players with strong individual abilities. However, our focus must be on ourselves, and if we perform at our best, we can compete against any team.”
Meanwhile, Al-Sadd captain Hassan Al-Haydos emphasized the importance of the AFC Champions League Elite, saying: “This tournament is very important for us. Facing Kawasaki in the quarterfinals will be tough.”
Al-Haydos added: “Al-Sadd are ready, God willing. Our players are fully focused and determined to achieve a positive result. Winning the league title recently has been a huge boost for us. We’ve been on an upward trajectory, having also qualified for the Qatar Cup final, but this is a continental tournament, and it demands even greater focus.”
He continued: “On a personal level, of course I strive to win titles. The Al-Sadd fans are eager for a continental trophy. Our full focus is on the match against Kawasaki, and we will take the tournament step by step from there.”
