AFC/TNN
Doha
Al Sadd have an uphill task against Saudi Arabia champions Al Nassr in the second leg of the 2019 AFC Champions League quarter-finals on Monday. Al Nassr are eyeing a first semi-final appearance in Asia’s prestigious club football tournament having won the first leg at home 2-1. Al Sadd on the other hand were champions in 2011.
After failing to make it past the play-offs for two consecutive years, Al Sadd put on a solid performance in the 2018 AFC Champions League, going as far as the semi-finals before losing to eventual runners-up Persepolis. And captain-turned-coach Xavi will aim to better last season’s result.
"A large number of Al Sadd were involved with their national teams recently, but everyone has trained properly and we are ready for this match.
"My goal is to win the AFC Champions League,” Xavi said.
"I came to Qatar to win the championships with Al Sadd as a player and coach. I have spoken to the players about the importance of winning and I am confident of them. They are eager to play this match, and we hope to succeed and qualify for the semi-finals,” Xavi added.
Al Sadd can take confidence from their vastly superior history in the competition, compared to their visitors.
The Qataris have reached the knock-out stages on five occasions and remain the last West Asian side to lift the trophy, back in 2011. Meanwhile, the quarter-finals are unmapped territory for Al Nassr.
If Al Sadd have history to count on, Al Nassr will be encouraged by their recent results.
A fortnight ago in Riyadh, Rui Vitoria’s men had overturned an Ali Asad goal for Al Sadd to walk away with a valuable victory, thanks to goals from Abdulrahman al Dossari and Giuliano either side of the half-time break.
The Riyadh-based team has only lost one of their four away games in the 2019 AFC Champions League. In the Round of 16, they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by UAE’s Al Wahda, but were then able to come away with a 3-2 win from Abu Dhabi.
Concerning Al Nassr, however, is the fact that Al Sadd have won each of their four home fixtures in the competition so far, defeating Persepolis, Pakhtakor and Al Ahli in the group stage, before brushing aside domestic rivals Al Duhail 3-1 in the Round of 16.
Having retired over the summer, Xavi still leads Al Sadd’s scoring charts in the 2019 AFC Champions League with three goals, but Qatar international Akram Afif matched his current boss’ tally with a Round-of-16 first leg goal against Al Duhail. Afif is also the only Al Sadd player with more chances created (21) than Xavi’s 14.
Typically operating on the left side of an attacking trio, creating havoc in opposition defences with his direct running inwards from the flank. With Korean midfielder Nam Tae-hee now returning from a long injury layoff, Afif will have someone to share the playmaking burden, perhaps allowing him more room to flourish.
"There is pressure on everyone, not only on the team. We know Al Nassr have very strong players like Abdul Razak Hamdallah and Juliano, but we have players capable of of delivering the required performance.
We will press hard and we will work on possession and to regain the second ball. We will try to close all the spaces and impose our character and achieve victory,” Xavi told reporters on Sunday.
On the participation of Akram Afif, he said, "Akram Afif is ready for the game and will participate. Him not playing for the national team is another thing – he is a professional player and has been excellent with us.”
Doha
Al Sadd have an uphill task against Saudi Arabia champions Al Nassr in the second leg of the 2019 AFC Champions League quarter-finals on Monday. Al Nassr are eyeing a first semi-final appearance in Asia’s prestigious club football tournament having won the first leg at home 2-1. Al Sadd on the other hand were champions in 2011.
After failing to make it past the play-offs for two consecutive years, Al Sadd put on a solid performance in the 2018 AFC Champions League, going as far as the semi-finals before losing to eventual runners-up Persepolis. And captain-turned-coach Xavi will aim to better last season’s result.
"A large number of Al Sadd were involved with their national teams recently, but everyone has trained properly and we are ready for this match.
"My goal is to win the AFC Champions League,” Xavi said.
"I came to Qatar to win the championships with Al Sadd as a player and coach. I have spoken to the players about the importance of winning and I am confident of them. They are eager to play this match, and we hope to succeed and qualify for the semi-finals,” Xavi added.
Al Sadd can take confidence from their vastly superior history in the competition, compared to their visitors.
The Qataris have reached the knock-out stages on five occasions and remain the last West Asian side to lift the trophy, back in 2011. Meanwhile, the quarter-finals are unmapped territory for Al Nassr.
If Al Sadd have history to count on, Al Nassr will be encouraged by their recent results.
A fortnight ago in Riyadh, Rui Vitoria’s men had overturned an Ali Asad goal for Al Sadd to walk away with a valuable victory, thanks to goals from Abdulrahman al Dossari and Giuliano either side of the half-time break.
The Riyadh-based team has only lost one of their four away games in the 2019 AFC Champions League. In the Round of 16, they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by UAE’s Al Wahda, but were then able to come away with a 3-2 win from Abu Dhabi.
Concerning Al Nassr, however, is the fact that Al Sadd have won each of their four home fixtures in the competition so far, defeating Persepolis, Pakhtakor and Al Ahli in the group stage, before brushing aside domestic rivals Al Duhail 3-1 in the Round of 16.
Having retired over the summer, Xavi still leads Al Sadd’s scoring charts in the 2019 AFC Champions League with three goals, but Qatar international Akram Afif matched his current boss’ tally with a Round-of-16 first leg goal against Al Duhail. Afif is also the only Al Sadd player with more chances created (21) than Xavi’s 14.
Typically operating on the left side of an attacking trio, creating havoc in opposition defences with his direct running inwards from the flank. With Korean midfielder Nam Tae-hee now returning from a long injury layoff, Afif will have someone to share the playmaking burden, perhaps allowing him more room to flourish.
"There is pressure on everyone, not only on the team. We know Al Nassr have very strong players like Abdul Razak Hamdallah and Juliano, but we have players capable of of delivering the required performance.
We will press hard and we will work on possession and to regain the second ball. We will try to close all the spaces and impose our character and achieve victory,” Xavi told reporters on Sunday.
On the participation of Akram Afif, he said, "Akram Afif is ready for the game and will participate. Him not playing for the national team is another thing – he is a professional player and has been excellent with us.”