Alkass Digital
Two-time champions Al Sadd and Jordan’s Al Faisaly will lock horns at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium today in a crucial Group B showdown of the AFC Champions League 2023-24 in which both teams will be hungry for a win.
The match kicks off at 9 pm.
The 2011 title winners, Al Sadd, find themselves in a shaky position in third spot in the fiercely competitive group with just one point after two matches, and will be desperately seeking a significant victory against their Jordanian opponents today. Their hopes of moving up will rely not only on their own performance but also on the outcome of the other matches in the group.
On the other hand, debutants Al Faisaly have found the AFC Champions League very challenging, with two back-to-back defeats and no points in their account. Their primary objective now is to secure their first points, but the formidable Al Sadd are blocking their path.
Portuguese coach Bruno Miguel is leaving no stone unturned to ensure Al Sadd give their best against the visitors today.
Speaking to the media on the eve of the match, Coach Miguel said, "We anticipate a challenging contest, but our focus is on winning and earning those crucial three points. We had no rest after the FC Nasaf match due to national team commitments, but I have faith in the team's performance."
Al Sadd's captain Hassan Al Haydos with teammates during a training session.
However, Al Sadd will be without their star winger, former Asian Player of the Year Akram Afif, who received a red card in the previous match against FC Nasaf.
"While Akram is undoubtedly a special player, Al Sadd doesn't rely solely on one individual. We operate as a cohesive unit, and I trust that the team will perform exceptionally well and achieve our objective, which is a victory," a confident Miguel said.
He went on to acknowledge Al Faisaly's strengths, saying, "Al Faisaly is an organized and defensively strong team, known for their counter-attacking style. To secure a victory, we must put in a top-notch performance."
Al Sadd midfielder Ali Asad admitted the match will be tough.
“Tomorrow’s match is tough, and we need to secure a win and obtain all three points because it is a decisive match. We will give our best performance to win,” Asad said.
“We drew in one match and lost the other. We still have hope of advancing from the group by winning the remaining matches, and we will stick to that. We are accustomed to pressure at Al Sadd and with the national team, and this will give us the morale boost to give our best. We are here to compete,” Asad said, inviting Al Sadd fans to come and support the team.
"The presence of the fans plays a big role in achieving positive results,” Asad said.
Meanwhile, Al Faisaly are undergoing a transformation under their former player Ahmed Hayel, who has taken over as the new coach, succeeding Ghazi Al Gharairi. The team is looking to mark a fresh chapter in their AFC Champions League journey.
In Group B, FC Nasaf currently leads the standings with 6 points, closely trailed by Sharjah with 4 points from their two matches each.