AFC/TNN
Doha
Qatar’s Al Sadd SC know they can’t afford to hold back when they welcome Esteghlal FC to the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium for their AFC Champions League Elite 2024-25 Matchday Two tie on Monday at 7pm.
Al Sadd, the 2011 AFC Champions League winners, opened their continental campaign with a 1-1 draw against Al Ain FC of the UAE while Iran’s Esteghlal impressed in their 3-0 win against another Qatar side, Al Gharafa.
Having endured a difficult start to their domestic season, Al Sadd will go into the tie on a high after beating Al Gharafa 4-2 in their Qatar Stars League tie on Thursday.
Seeking to advance to the knockout stage for the first time since 2020, Al Sadd know victory against an Esteghlal side they are familiar with – having met them five times previously - will be a tremendous boost to their hopes.
Speaking on the eve of the clash, Al Sadd coach Felix Sanchez said, "The team is determined to perform positively against Esteghlal tomorrow. It is a difficult match but everyone in the team is hopeful of continuing the upward trend.
"We will fight for a win and I hope we shall also have a lot of support from the fans.”
While Esteghlal played some of their best football against Al Gharafa two weeks ago, they have been struggling domestically and will head to Doha having lost 1-0 to Persepolis FC in their Iran Pro League clash on Wednesday.
History is also against them as Esteghlal have not won in their last six matches against Qatari teams and neither have they previously won their first two matches on the continental stage.
The AFC Champions League Elite draw saw the participating clubs being divided into two groups of 12 teams each in the East and West zones. The league stage will be held from September 16 to February 19, 2025, and each team will face eight different clubs from its zone with four matches at home and four away.
The best eight clubs will qualify for the Round of 16 and then the quarterfinals in Saudi Arabia from April 25 to May 4, 2025.
Al Rayyan take
on Al Nassr
Al Nassr will expect nothing less than a win when they welcome Al Rayyan to the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh for their AFC Champions League Elite 2024-25 tie on Monday at 9pm (Doha Time).
The Al Rayyan delegation departed Doha on Saturday, headed by the club’s vice-president Mr. Ali Salem Afifa. It comprises 27 players - Fahad Younes, Sami Beladi, Paulo Victor, David Garcia, Ameed Mahajneh, Andre Amaro, Mohammed Saleh, Khaled Muftah, Ahmed Al Menhali, Hazem Ahmed, Adel Bader, Joshua Brent, Murad Naji, Ali Qaderi, Julian De Sart, Francisco Ginella, Rodrigo Tabata, Khaled Ali, Abdulrahman Al Harazi, Gabriel Pereira, Achraf Bencharki, Mohammed Siraj, Mahmoud Trezeguet, Tamim Mansour, Roger Guedes, Ahmed Al Rawi and Abdelaziz Hatem.
The technical staff of Al Rayyan, led by coach Younes Ali, is focused on determining the optimal line-up to challenge Al Nassr, particularly with the recent addition of several talented players.
Younes Ali, coach of Al Rayyan, said, "Our preparations have been good and we are heading towards a difficult match against a strong competitor that requires maximum effort from everyone.
"Both the teams will be looking for a positive result after their opening games in the Champions League. The match will be difficult against Al Nassr, which is a tough side having very good players but I have great confidence in my players who are determined to do well,” he said.
Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr kicked off their League Stage campaign with a 1-1 draw against Iraq’s Al Shorta while Al Rayyan suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Al Hilal SFC.
Stefano Pioli will make his AFC Champions League Elite debut with the Italian, appointed Al Nassr head coach two weeks ago, expected to build his gameplan around Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese star missed the opening match due to illness but is back at his best with Al Nassr heading into the tie on the back of three consecutive wins.
They will expect a fourth victory, given their recent track record against Qatari teams with the Riyadh-based side undefeated in their last six outings, including four consecutive wins.
This will, however, be the first meeting between the sides on the continental stage with all their previous five encounters having come in Arab and Gulf Cup tournaments with Al Nassr having won twice and Al Rayyan once.
Al Rayyan will brace themselves for a tough test as they bid to advance to the knockout stage for just the second time, after having done so in 2022.
Their season has not started smoothly, with Thursday’s defeat to Al Arabi their fourth in six Qatar Stars League matches and with Al Nassr determined to go all the way, Al Rayyan will have to be fully focused if they are to make their mark on the game.