Tribune News Network
Doha
Qatar’s Al Arabi will meet Rifaa of Bahrain in Round 2, Group B of the Gulf Club Champions League at the Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Bahrain on Tuesday at 8pm.
Group B also comprises Qadsia (Kuwait) and Al Ettifaq (Saudi Arabia).
Al Arabi will go into the clash aiming for a win and maximum points to shore up their position from currently being third with one point, following a 1-1 draw against Qadsia in the opening round. Al Riffa are fourth with no points to their credit. They lost their first-round match 1-3 to Al Ettifaq, who lead the group with three points.
Al Arabi coach Anthony Hudson will be looking for his side to iron out flaws and strike with full force against Rifaa, and to overcome their 1-3 loss to Al Gharafa in Week 9 of Ooredoo Stars League.
Speaking on the eve of the match, coach Anthony Hudson said, “We are very excited to play this match and it is a big challenge for us. We have some absent players but I have great confidence in the group to do the best and achieve victory.”
Al Arabi player Yousef Muftah said, “We are well prepared for the match and everyone is excited to present the best, and our goal is to give our best.”
The second-round matches will be played on November 5 and 6, and third round in November 26 and 27. The fourth round will be played on December 3 and 4, fifth on February 4 and 5, 2025, and the sixth and final round of group stage on February 18 and 19, 2025.
The tournament returns after a gap of nine years since the last edition in 2015 when the UAE’s Al Shabab were the champions. This time, eight teams, divided into two groups, are competing on a home-and-away basis. The top two sides from each group will qualify for the semi-finals.
