Striker Ali Al-Hamadi netted his second goal for loan club Stoke City to secure a 1-0 home victory over Blackburn Rovers last night and is enjoying his time with the Potters.
The 23-year-old, who is with the Championship’s 19th-placed side for the rest of the season, slid in his first goal at the Bet365 Stadium in the 19th minute and that proved enough to claim the three points.
"I’ve been waiting for that moment, it’s been probably a game or two too long, but what a moment,” he told the Potters’ official media after the match
"I think [with] the effort we’ve put in this week so far, it’s been a tough schedule, Saturday, this and then another game coming up, I’m happy to get the reward for the hard work that’s going on behind the scenes.
"I thought we were very unlucky in the last game [a 3-2 defeat at Coventry], I think everyone can see the effort we’re putting in in each game. As a striker you want to score, but I care more about winning and how it affects the team.”
The Stoke fans have taken to Al-Hamadi, who was named in the Iraq squad for their World Cup qualifiers yesterday, since he made his move and he is enjoying his spell.
"I love it, I think it’s just been a perfect fit from a human perspective and from a football perspective as well,” he added.
"Fans feed off me, I feed off them and it’s been a really good start so far. I love the support, I love the energy they give me and that’s what you play for as a footballer.
"It’s just how you make people feel, really. People want to come here and see people work hard and have good moments because that’s what they’ll remember throughout their week, so if I can provide that then I’m doing my job.”
Al-Hamadi, who is contracted to Town until the summer of 2028, has now netted two goals in seven starts since joining Stoke in January.