AFC/TNN
Doha
It what will be a meeting of familiar foes, Qatar’s Al Rayyan welcome Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal to the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium for their AFC Champions League Elite 2024-25 opener on Tuesday at 7pm.
The two sides have previously met eight times on the continental stage, with Al Hilal winning five of the encounters and Al Rayyan two.
Al Rayyan, who will be making their 12th appearance at the top tier of Asian club football, will be eager to better their previous best of a Round of 16 appearances in the 2022 edition of the AFC Champions League.
They will, however, be required to be at their best after a relatively slow start to the Qatar Stars League 2024-25 season where they are currently sitting fifth, six points adrift of pacesetters Al Duhail.
Al Hilal, however, have enjoyed a flying start to their Saudi Pro League 2025-25 campaign, Saturday’s 3-0 win against Al Riyadh making it four wins on the trot.
Speaking ahead of the tie, Al Rayyan coach said, “The enthusiasm is special within the team and there is a great desire to present the best in the continental tournament,” adding, “A difficult task awaits us and we know the opponents’ strengths and we shall play with a strict organized defence which will be from our matches in the domestic league.”
For his part, Al Rayyan player Julien De Sart said, “A big challenges awaits us and these types of matches are very important for us. We have to play defensively and defy our rivals’ main strengths.”
Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus, said: “The tournament, with its new system, represents a great challenge and is different from all previous versions, whether at the level of teams or professional players.”
Al Hilal’s star player Salem Al Dawsari said, “The mission is difficult and we want to maintain our brilliance in this continental championship. Our goal is to continue the journey and our leadership in the tournament. We want to win the title and tomorrow’s match will be different and there have been major changes since the two teams faced each other two years ago.”
Seeking a fifth Asian title, Al Hilal - appearing on the continental stage for a record 20th time - will be determined to make up for falling in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League 2023-24 to eventual winners Al Ain of the UAE.
The AFC Champions League Elite 2024-25 draw has clubs divided into two groups of 12 teams in the (West - East) regions.
The league stage matches will be held during the period from September 16 to February 19, 2025, and each team will face 8 different clubs from its region with four matches at home and four away.
The best eight clubs will qualify for the Round of 16), then the quarter-finals in Saudi Arabia from April 25 to May 4, 2025.
