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Al Sadd coach Xavi.

Barcelona great Xavi frustrated after coaching debut

The 39-year-old’s managerial career began with a draw.

XAVI WAS LEFT frustrated after his first game as Al-Sadd coach ended with a 1-1 AFC Champions League draw against Al-Duhail, in which he lost a shoe when kicking out in anger.

Barcelona great Xavi signed up to be the Qatari club’s coach in May and his managerial debut came in Tuesday’s last 16 first-leg clash with domestic rivals Al-Duhail.

The 39-year-old’s coaching career got off to something of a rocky start, with Xavi at one point losing a shoe when he kicked out in frustration after his side were denied a penalty in the closing stages.

Xavi was ushered back to the bench by the officials while still wearing just one shoe, and the former Spain midfielder acknowledged his disappointment at the result and the referee’s failure to award the spot-kick.

“My only disappointment is that we didn’t win. It’s not a bad result as we scored an away goal, but we deserve more than that. What makes me happy is how the players performed on the pitch,” Xavi told his club’s official website.

“It feels really good to coach this team. Our players were the best and had a great desire to win. The AFC Champions League is a tough tournament.

“Mistakes are part of the game. I don’t like to talk about refereeing. A penalty call in the last minute of the game is tough for the referee, but in my opinion, it was a penalty.”

With the Qatar Stars League not due to start until August 21, Al-Sadd’s next fixture is the return leg against Al-Duhail on Tuesday, before they face the same opponent in the Sheikh Jassim Cup.

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    Mute Nash Bridges
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    Jun 22nd 2015, 10:58 AM

    I’m absolutely shocked. I can’t believe that in June of 2015 people in Waterford are still recording phone videos in portrait mode. Disgraceful.

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    Mute Shane O'Donnell
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    Jun 22nd 2015, 11:25 AM

    I’m shocked as well, they’re playing club hurling in the summer? Down with that sort of thing.

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    Mute Ron Burgundy
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    Jun 22nd 2015, 11:25 AM

    The tall streak of piss in the white helmet and white jersey should get a long holiday from hurling

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    Mute John C
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    Jun 22nd 2015, 1:36 PM

    Spot on Ron. There’s a line you don’t cross in hurling regardless of what’s going on. And striking someone on the head with a hurley us one of them. The WCB have access to all the evidence they need to hand out the appropriate suspension to that guy.

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    Mute Diarmuid O'Connor
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    Jun 22nd 2015, 9:47 PM

    He should never play hurling again after that cowardly shot. Drop your hurl and fight if you really want to fight, toe rag.

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    Mute Seán Ryan
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    Jun 22nd 2015, 11:11 AM

    classy lady I’d say she is

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    Mute deise
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    Jun 22nd 2015, 2:40 PM

    In the longer clip its more obvious that Dessie is the ref, thats who shes shouting at. Shes not encouraging the fight

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    Mute Seán Ryan
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    Jun 22nd 2015, 4:07 PM

    she s blaming the ref, not the dirt bag who breaks his hurl of the oppositions neck. lovely, the whole lot of it

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    Mute Seán Leahy
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    Jun 22nd 2015, 1:03 PM

    I wonder what started that? A few handbags and a bit of pushing and shoving is alright but striking another player across the head with a hurl is despicable.

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    Mute Diarmuid O'Connor
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    Jun 22nd 2015, 9:49 PM

    That tool should never be allowed to play hurling again.

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    Mute Aideen Thornton
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    Jun 22nd 2015, 12:32 PM

    Here’s a 3 min clip of it. One very vocal woman seems to think the only person to blame is the ref! Nothing to do with the lads punching the heads off each other.

    http://www.joe.ie/sport/video-waterford-club-hurling-championship-match-marred-by-violent-scenes-as-mass-schemozzle-breaks-out/500650?utm_content=buffer6f7e5&utm_medium=Social+organic&utm_source=Twitter&utm_campaign=Buffer

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    Mute Fear Uisce
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    Jun 22nd 2015, 12:58 PM

    words fail me, for the behaviour bo th on and off the pitch

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    Mute Fear Uisce
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    Jun 22nd 2015, 12:59 PM

    *both

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    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
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    Jun 22nd 2015, 12:22 PM

    It’s hard for parents to send the children to play GAA when this type of behaviour is not punished

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    Mute John murphy
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    Jun 22nd 2015, 11:14 AM

    “Ah will ye stop!”

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    Mute Dan
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    Jun 22nd 2015, 1:36 PM

    Bite her kellly!!!

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    Mute Sean Flanagan
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    Jun 23rd 2015, 5:24 AM

    Hit him Frank, or I’ll hit him for ya!

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    Mute William Coleman
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    Jun 22nd 2015, 1:15 PM

    Poor aul Dessie !!

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    Mute Aidan Tyrrell
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    Jun 22nd 2015, 3:08 PM

    hand bags

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