Al-Sadd coach Javi Gracia stated that their opening AFC Champions League group stage game against Nasaf was very difficult, while praising his players’ efforts. The match, which was played at the Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam on Friday, ended in a 1-1 draw.
Speaking during the post-match press conference, Gracia said: “It was a difficult against a good team, and the match was made more difficult by the fact that we played after 27 minutes with ten players, and then Pedro was sent off in the middle of the second half.”
The coach continued: “I am proud of the players’ efforts during the match and their ability to maintain their balance until the end of the match and to come out with a point, even though we were seeking to get the three points.”
Regarding the absence of Abdelkarim and Pedro in the upcoming match against Al-Faisaly, Gracia said: “We worked well in preparation for the tournament, and all our players are ready to take up responsibility to compensate for the absence of any player.”
