Al Duhail's Adil Boulbina during a training session.
Doha: Champions League (ACL) Elite win this season when they host Shabab Al Ahli (UAE) at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium today.
The Qatari football heavyweights are coming off a 3-1 defeat to UAE’s Al Wahda in their previous ACL Elite outing on October 20 before suffering another loss in the domestic League tie against Al Gharafa last week.
Their loss against Al Wahda also ended a nine-match unbeaten run against the UAE side.
Head coach Djamel Belmadi insisted Al Duhail are ready for the challenge, but only a win will help them keep their hopes alive in the continental tournament.
Al Duhai are currently hovering above the last two placed teams in the 12-team contest, having only one point from a draw.
“We must deliver a positive result,” Belmadi said at the pre-match press conference yesterday. “Only a win will keep our knockout hopes alive,” Belmadi added, praising the visitors’ form and individual quality while calling for maximum focus to restrict their chances.
Al Duhail winger Edmilson Junior said his team is ready to respond and backed his side to “perform better and get a positive result”with a clear aim to win and “get back on the right track.”
“We know it will be difficult, but we have no option other than to push for victory and take the three points the team badly needs,” Edmilson added.
Unlike the Qatari side, Shabab Al Ahli sit third in the table with two wins and a draw. They have collected seven points, the same as Al Ahli Saudi FC and Al Wahda FC, who are placed second and fourth, respectively, based on goal difference.
The Dubai club is facing Al Duhail for the first time.
Shabab Al Ahli head coach Paulo Sousa said his side expects a positive result, but admitted that playing against the hosts, a stubborn side with standout players, will be a difficult test.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, the Portuguese coach said his men are fully prepared. He also praised Al Duhail’s quality, insisting their current position does not reflect performances in their last three matches and pointing to the depth and calibre within their squad.
Meanwhile, another Qatari side, Al Gharafa, face a stern test as they host table toppers Al Hilal SFC.
The four-time Asian champions are the only team with a perfect record across both West and East zones, while Al Gharafa won one match and lost two.
After beating Al Shorta on Matchday Two, they fell 4-0 to defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC two weeks ago.
Al Gharafa head coach Pedro Martins said his side must raise their level when they meet the Saudi giants.
“Facing Al Hilal is very important for us and we are looking to achieve a positive result, so we must double our efforts,” Martins said during a pre-match press conference.
“We will face a strong opponent with major Asian experience and one of the best teams on the continent. We hope to perform at the required level,” Martins said.
