Al-Qadsiya's Montenegrin coach, Zeljko Petrovic.

DUBAI, March 5: Al-Qadsiya's Montenegrin coach, Zeljko Petrovic, expressed his delight following his team’s 1-0 victory over Al-Nasr of the UAE in Dubai on Tuesday in the first leg of the Gulf Champions League semi-finals.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Petrovic emphasized that the win provided his team with an advantage ahead of the return leg next week. However, he acknowledged, “I am fully aware that this advantage is minimal, given the quality of Al-Nasr and their coach, who have outstanding players capable of turning the tie around.”

He added that the victory serves as a morale booster before the decisive second leg, expressing his hope that Al-Qadsiya can secure a place in the final.

Petrovic noted that the match was technically more balanced before Al-Nasr’s Ali Mabkhout was sent off. He explained that the numerical disadvantage gave the home side an extra psychological lift.

He further pointed out that Al-Qadsiya’s drop in performance during the second half was due to fatigue, as his squad had played 13 matches in just 60 days, impacting their energy levels in certain games.

On the other hand, Al-Nasr’s Dutch coach, Alfred Schreuder, admitted that the red card made the match more challenging for his side. He noted that Al-Qadsiya capitalized on the mistake and managed to score the decisive goal.

Despite the setback, Schreuder was pleased with his team’s second-half performance, stating that they created dangerous opportunities but were ultimately unable to find the back of the net.

He remained optimistic about Al-Nasr’s chances of qualification, stating, “We still have a strong opportunity to progress. Al-Nasr can bounce back and deliver its best performance in the return leg to keep our campaign alive in the competition.”

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff