AFC Champions League Elite:
Tractor coach Skocic rues ‘individual errors’ in Al Sadd defeat
Tractor head coach Dragan Skocic lamented “individual errors” after his side suffered their first defeat in the AFC Champions League Elite, falling 2-0 to Qatar’s Al Sadd in Doha on Tuesday.
Rafa Mújica broke the deadlock on the hour mark after Akram Afif nodded Pedro Miguel’s cross into the path of the Spanish striker, who controlled superbly before slotting past Tractor goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.
Roberto Firmino sealed the victory in the 89th minute, finishing off a well-worked counterattack with a composed close-range effort.
The defeat – Tractor’s first in seven matches – leaves the Iranian champions third in the 12-team West Zone standings with 14 points, five behind Saudi heavyweights Al Hilal and level with second-placed Al Ahli.
“Our team played a difficult match, as expected, against a strong opponent with a selection of outstanding players,” said Skocic, whose side has already secured a place in the last 16 of Asia’s premier club competition.
“We lost due to some individual errors in defensive coverage, and we will work on learning from this match to come back stronger,” the Croatian added.
Tractor will look to finish the league phase on a positive note when they travel to face Al Gharafa next week at Thani bin Jassim Stadium in Al Rayyan.
Al Gharafa, who suffered a 7-0 thrashing at Al Ittihad later on Tuesday, sit 10th with six points – two behind eighth-placed Al Sadd – and must beat Tractor to keep alive their slim hopes of reaching the knockout stage.
Meanwhile, Al Sadd head coach Roberto Mancini said his side could draw inspiration from Tuesday’s victory as they push for a place in the round of 16.
“The match was difficult, and we delivered a good performance, especially in the second half, where we created many chances, scored two goals, and secured three important points,” said Mancini.
“We faced an opponent that had not lost a single match in the competition this season, so it was very important for us to defeat Tractor. We still have hope of qualifying, and we will hold on to it.
“I am happy with the victory and grateful for the support of the Al Sadd fans. I hope they continue supporting the team strongly in the upcoming matches,” the Italian added.
Asian champions in 2011, Al Sadd will target another three points in their final league-stage clash against Al Ittihad in Doha on Tuesday.