Al Duhail’s Almoez Ali celebrates after scoring a goal against Al Ain during the AFC Champions League Round of 16 first leg match at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, on February 20, 2018.
Doha: Qatar’s unbeaten football giants Al Duhail will take a commanding 4-2 lead into the second leg of the AFC Champions League (ACL) Round of 16 against UAE’s Al Ain at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium today as they eye a berth in the quarter-finals.
Coached by Algerian tactician Djamel Belmadi, the reigning QNB Stars League and Qatar Cup champions will be no easy kill for the visitors.
Al Duhail, who extended their incredible winning run this season with a 1-0 win against arch-rivals Al Sadd in the Amir Cup semi-final, are just one step away from securing a domestic cup treble. Al Duhail have won all their AFC Champions League matches this season and they seem unstoppable.
In the previous leg, Al Duhail stunned the home fans when Moroccan striker Youssef El Arabi, the top scorer in the QNB Stars League with 26 goals, struck in the 16th minute. Nam Tae-Hee made it 2-0 for the Qatari side in the 39th with an outstanding solo effort before Ismail Mohamed put his side further ahead in the 48th with a fine chip after being set up by Nam. Almoez Ali added the fourth seven minutes later.
Al Ain managed to score two goals through Ahmed Khalil and Ibrahim Diaky.
However, a comeback with at least a three-goal winning margin against the strong Al Duhail side on their own backyard today seems highly unlikely.
Lucas Mendes will return from suspension for the hosts who are also missing the services of their regular captain and attacking midfielder Youssef Msakni, who recently underwent a cruciate ligament knee surgery in the US. For Al Ain, both Hussein El Shahat and Mohanad Salem are likely to return. Brazilian Caio is suspended for Al Ain after his late dismissal in the first leg.
Ahead of the crucial tie, coach Belmadi said, “We’re yet to advance to the quarter-finals as the second leg is yet to be played. Al Ain will do their best and we will’ve to remain focused and work harder than before to secure victory.”
Al Duhail’s dream run also put Belmadi among the best coaches in Qatar this season.
The Qatar Football Association has announced that Belmadi, along with Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira and Al Rayyan’s Michael Laudrup are in contest for the 2017-18 season’s Best Coach Award.
Belmadi, Ferreira and Laudrup stood out among all coaches with their achievements as they guided their teams to the first three positions, in that order, in the QNB Stars League.
The winners will be announced at the end-of-season ceremony at the Qatar National Convention Center in Education City on Thursday.
