Tribune News Network
Doha
Al Gharafa will face a tough test against Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia in the sixth round of the AFC Champions League Elite (West Zone) at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Riyadh on Tuesday at 9pm.
Al Gharafa currently hold the eighth position in the West Zone standings, having accumulated four points from one victory and a draw, alongside three defeats. They have scored seven goals while conceding 11.
In contrast, Al Hilal are positioned second in the standings with 13 points, achieved through four wins and a draw, remaining undefeated thus far. Their qualification for the Round of 16 has been confirmed following a recent draw with Al Sadd, where both teams scored one goal each.
In the upcoming match, Al Gharafa must strive to recover and restore equilibrium despite facing formidable opponents in order to secure a favourable outcome that would enhance their chances of advancing to the next round.
In their previous match, Al Gharafa experienced a 1-3 defeat against Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia at Al Bayt Stadium. The team performed commendably in the first half, ending it in a goalless draw, but squandered several scoring opportunities against Al Nassr’s goalkeeper.
Al Gharafa remain in contention for progression to the next round. However, they urgently need to regain their composure in the remaining three matches of the league stage to avoid further setbacks and to strive for advancement, as only the top eight teams in the standings will qualify.
Portuguese coach Pedro Martins must address the errors and shortcomings displayed in the match against Al Nassr and compensate for the team’s absences, particularly that of defender Seydou Sano, who was sent off for a severe challenge on Sadio Mane in the last encounter.
The Portuguese coach is aware that the challenge posed by Al Hilal’s potent offence will be significant, thus finding a balance between defence and attack while countering Al Hilal’s strengths. That presents a complex challenge for Al Gharafa to secure a positive result in Riyadh.