AFC Champions League Elite
The Portuguese tactician, however, is demanding laser-focus from his team as the former Porto FC head coach begins charting plans for a Round of 16 tie against United Arab Emirates’s Al Wahda FC.
#ACLElite | Al Sadd SC (QAT) 1-4 Al Ittihad Club (KSA)
“This was an important and well-deserved victory, especially since we executed our planned strategy perfectly,” said Conceicao. “We secured three crucial points, and now we're focused on what's next.
“This win will be meaningless if we don't improve in the coming period and maintain this approach. There's a difference between league matches and the AFC Champions League but it's not a huge one. The players here aren't at a higher level, but the opponents have more rest."
“This win will be meaningless if we don't improve in the coming period and maintain this approach. There's a difference between league matches and the AFC Champions League but it's not a huge one. The players here aren't at a higher level, but the opponents have more rest."
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“We represent Al Ittihad and its emblem, both here and in the league, and our focus is always on winning. Today's scoreline was significant, but we faced a very tough team with excellent players and a world-class coach. We were fortunate to achieve victory in this manner.”
Conceicao could not have asked for a better start to a tough away tie with Houssem Aouar and Youssef En-Nesyri putting Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad 2-0 up after 18 minutes, then increasing their advantage through a Pedro Miguel own goal with Rafa Mujica pulling one back for the Qatari side before half-time.
Stephane Keller put the seal on an impressive away showing with the fourth goal in the second half to consign Al Sadd to defeat but Roberto Mancini’s side were able to advance thanks to Al Gharafa SC’s 2-0 defeat to Tractor FC.
Conceicao could not have asked for a better start to a tough away tie with Houssem Aouar and Youssef En-Nesyri putting Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad 2-0 up after 18 minutes, then increasing their advantage through a Pedro Miguel own goal with Rafa Mujica pulling one back for the Qatari side before half-time.
Stephane Keller put the seal on an impressive away showing with the fourth goal in the second half to consign Al Sadd to defeat but Roberto Mancini’s side were able to advance thanks to Al Gharafa SC’s 2-0 defeat to Tractor FC.
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Mancini was pleased to have secured a place in the Round of 16 but warned that their tie against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal SFC will be extremely difficult.
“We are happy to qualify for the next round, even though we are not satisfied with the result of this match,” said Mancini. “But the team qualified despite all the difficulties, especially the ones at the start of this edition.
“The Saudi clubs are currently the strongest in the AFC Champions League Elite, and this is logical and natural. We have two weeks before the Round of 16, and we will see how prepared we are for this stage, which will certainly be more difficult.”
“We are happy to qualify for the next round, even though we are not satisfied with the result of this match,” said Mancini. “But the team qualified despite all the difficulties, especially the ones at the start of this edition.
“The Saudi clubs are currently the strongest in the AFC Champions League Elite, and this is logical and natural. We have two weeks before the Round of 16, and we will see how prepared we are for this stage, which will certainly be more difficult.”
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