Al Sadd ready to come back in the league after stunning Qatar Cup triumph

Doha, Qatar: Just a week back, Xavi Hernandez was having a really testing period. Barcelona sporting director Eric Abidal and CEO Oscar Grau had met him in Doha and had offered his dream job.

They wanted him immediately, but Xavi said no. The offer to coach Barca was the ultimate for anyone, but it came too soon, according to Xavi, whose decision-making in the midfield was one of his key traits.

Seven days later, he collects his second managerial silverware after a 4-0 victory against Duhail which was 'the performance of the season'. And it was also sweet revenge, for Duhail had beaten them 4-1 in the league in November.

"Yes, of course, there is always revenge in football. But we did not expect such a scoreline. We wanted to win and I am happy because this was our best performance of the season," Xavi told Doha Stadium Plus.

"I am very happy for the club, for the management for the supporters, especially for the players because they played an outstanding game. And now we want to come back in the League, compete in the Cup because this is the way of Al Sadd," said Xavi.

Duhail had a strong attack line comprising Mario Mandzukic, Paulo Edmilson, Youssef Msakni, Almoez Ali but Sadd never gave them any space to operate and Nam Tae Hee, who started the scoring, said the defence was the key to their victory.

"First we defended very well we did not concede any goal," said Nam. "We defended together, we attacked together. This was our plan. 

"We wanted to play on counter-attack. We wanted to defend together and this was our key point.

Nam was once Duhail's key player before a ligament left him out of action for a long period.

Sadd then signed him and Nam said he was working very hard to get back to his best. 

"After the injury, I am working very hard to be my best and I am still working but I am very happy to play with the best team," he said.

Friday's performance will no doubt be a big boost for Sadd and Nam said they would look to catch the QSL leaders.

"It's very difficult to catch them (Duhail) in the league. They are doing very well and Al Rayyan are also doing well.

"But it's not finished, we have many games left and we will try to win."

Al Sadd are nine points behind leaders Duhail although they have a game in hand and need help from elsewhere to stop the Red Knights. But if they continue this way, their rivals are going to have a pretty tough time stopping them.