Valencia coach backs ‘confident’ Sadiq to score more goals

Valencia coach Carlos Corberan has backed Umar Sadiq to score more goals for the club due to the level of confidence the striker now has.

Corberan said this in a chat with the official website of Valencia on Wednesday after Sadiq scored his first goal for the club.

Sadiq finally opened his goal account for Valencia which defeated Ourense CF 2-0 in a Copa del Rey round of 16 match on Tuesday night.

His first goal in the colours of Valencia arrived in the 78th minute courtesy of an assist from Sergi Canos before the lanky Nigerian striker came off for Pablo Lopez in the 88th minute.

His goal in the process sent Valencia where he is currently playing on loan from fellow La Liga club, Real Sociedad into the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.

Speaking about Sadiq during an interview with Valencia’s official website, coach Corberan expressed belief in the Super Eagles attacker to score many more goals.

“I am pleased with the minutes he played, as they will help him grow as a player. Goals give forwards a crucial confidence boost, which is important for them to continue helping the team in that area,” said Corberan, highlighting Sadiq’s eagerness to get back to his best form.

“I have seen a Sadiq full of desire to play, regain his form, and score goals. I also want to further motivate his commitment to contributing to the game at all times.”

Sadiq, meanwhile, received a yellow card on his La Liga debut for Valencia which played out a 1-1 draw with Sevilla at the Estadio R.Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday.

He did not make the starting line-up of Valencia but he replaced goalscorer, Hugo Duro in the 69th minute and was issued a yellow card in the 75th minute.

Sadiq had actually made his competitive debut for Valencia in their 2-0 victory over lower-division side, Eldense in the Copa del Rey round of 32 last Tuesday.

The Nigerian striker entered the game in the 58th minute as Valencia secured their spot in the round of 16 with first-half goals from Canos and Lopez.

Having fired blank against Eldense and Sevilla, that implied that Sadiq would hope to score his first-ever goal for Valencia in his third game for Los Che, a feat he achieved against Ourense.