Al Sadd coach Javi Gracia celebrates with the supporting staff members.
Doha: Al Sadd coach Javi Gracia expressed his happiness at lifting the QNB Stars League title for the 2021/22 season, following the Round 20 game against Al Duhail, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
In his statement to the club’s website after the match, Gracia said: “It is very important to continue to succeed and build on what we have achieved. We have proven to everyone that we are the best in Qatar.”
About the game against Al Duhail, Garcia said: “In the first half we were not good; yes we got some chances, but we were not good and Al Duhail controlled the first half more than us.”
“In the second half, we were able to change the team’s performance with the entry of Abdelkarim Hassan. We succeeded in that and we were better in everything after that. We scored the equaliser and we were close to victory, but we were unable to score the second goal,” he said.
Gracia noted that the team is progressing at a steady pace and achieving excellent results, and added: “We have achieved excellent results in the last 10 matches, in the league championship and in the Amir Cup.”
The coach also sent a message of gratitude to the Al Sadd fans who attended the crowning game to show their support to the team.
“I want to share this beautiful moment with them. They, just like me, have the right to be proud of this team.”
Meanwhile, defender Khoukhi Boualem also described his emotions after his side won the league title for the sixteenth time in the club’s history.
“We had a great season, at the end of which we were crowned with the QNB Stars League title for the second time in a row,” Khoukhi said after Al Sadd were crowned champions.
He said: “The title is a strong motivation for us to continue giving our best in the remaining tournaments in the season, and we are capable of that.”
“Winning the league shield is normal for us, as our goal has always been to win trophies. The team had been aiming for this since the beginning of the season, so the joy is great, especially as it is the second title in a row and a new record,” he added.
Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla said the title is a gift to Al Sadd fans.
Cazorla expressed his delight with his team’s league title triumph and said that this achievement will give the team a great moral boost in order to continue winning and achieve more in the upcoming period.
“The team has the determination to continue the winning run in all the tournaments and to always provide the best. The title is the most beautiful gift to the loyal fans. Our fans are the biggest pillar of support for the team and they deserve this joy. We are very happy that we were able to draw a smile on the faces of our fans, and we will spare no effort in the remaining matches of the season in order to achieve more victories and compete for championships,” Cazorla said.
Al Sadd goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb also expressed his happiness.
“We are happy with this new achievement, which was achieved by securing the league title before the end of the season. The season was difficult from the beginning and the competition was not easy, but Al Sadd learned how to deal well with the championship and achieve what was required, which is winning the league title after a great performance,” the Qatar international said.
“I would like to thank the club president, and all Al Sadd staff and fans for their support towards the team throughout the season. We are very happy with their joy, and we hope to increase it by winning other championships,” Al Sheeb said.
