Al Sadd v ES Tunis: Xavi trusts his side to learn from Club World Cup mistakes

The team representing host country Qatar missed out on a dream semi-final with European champions Liverpool after losing a thriller 3-2 to Monterrey last time out.

Leonel Vangioni and Rogelio Funes Mori goals left Al Sadd chasing the game and, although Baghdad Bounedjah halved the deficit, Carlos Rodriguez restored a two-goal lead to render Abdelkarim Hassan's late effort a mere consolation.

Al Sadd had laboured into that contest with an extra-time win over Hienghene Sport, leaving head coach Xavi to acknowledge his team have room to grow, even if he has been impressed by their attitude.

"The team made big mistakes that cost them the game, but we have to improve - it is part of the game and part of football," the Barcelona great told a news conference ahead of the play-off to determine who will finish fifth.

"The pressure is on me as a coach, not the team. You cannot learn if you don't make mistakes and I trust them a lot.

"I am satisfied with the performance but not with the result. I am a winner and I want to win. I am pushing my players, but it is not easy.

"It's the best tournament in the world; we have to adjust in the future to progress."

Sketching a screamerA different take on Leonel Vangioni's #ClubWC wonder goal from @Rayados pic.twitter.com/sWKz8UALDK

— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) December 16, 2019

ES Tunis find themselves out of the reckoning after Bafetimbi Gomis fired Al Hilal to a 1-0 victory and a semi-final with Flamengo.

After that game, ES Tunis coach Mouine Chaabani stated he felt the financial disparity between the teams had cost his side but praised his players for their collective showing.

And Xavi is expecting a difficult game, adding: "They are fighters, they are warriors, they have a good coach, a young coach.

"It will be difficult to win the game but we will be at the same level."

While the main goalscoring threat is likely to once again come from Bounedjah, Akram Afif will hope to sign off in style. The forward was named AFC Player of the Year in 2019 and may just make a difference in what could be a tight match.