Javi Gracia: We hoped for the best, but we lost our chance

Al-Sadd coach Javi Gracia spoke of his disappointment after the 3-1 defeat to Uzbekistan’s Nasaf which saw his side exit the AFC Champions League.

In his statement after the match, Gracia said: “We lost our chances in the tournament after the defeat by Nasaf. We had hoped to continue in the competition with a positive result today, but we could not achieve that.”

He continued: “We played well in the first half, and in the second half we made mistakes, which led to us conceding goals.”

Gracia added: “It is very difficult to find something positive in this match for us. We hoped for the best, but this is football, and congratulate Nasaf for winning.”

When asked about Al Sadd’s superiority in the domestic league, and the team’s decline in Asia, Gracia said: “I do not like to compare the local league and the Champions League. Each tournament has its own circumstances. We have to work and develop for the future.”