Al Sadd to Bank on In-Form Players Against Al Wasl
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SPORT Monday 2 April 2018 PAGE | 31 PAGE | 32-33 PAGE | 35 Ibra stars on Patient Proteas Joshua wants fifightght debut as Galaxy build massive lead in against Wilderr rally for a win fourth Test after Parker wwinin AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Al Sadd to bank on in-form Group Stage Fixtures (Kick off times in Qatar time) TODAY: players against Al Wasl Group C FC Nasaf (UZB) vs Persepolis RIZWAN REHMAT FC (IRN) THE PENINSULA Group D Esteghlal FC (IRN) vs Al Rayyan SC (QAT) DOHA: Football giants Al Sadd are Azadi Stadium, Tehran: delighted to welcome back national 18:30 team players for their AFC Champions Group D League clash against UAE’s Al Wasl Al Ain FC (UAE) vs Al Hilal SFC today. (KSA) Star striker and captain Hassan Al Haydos, reliable midfielder Abdul Group C Kareem Hassan, rising foward Akram Al Sadd SC (QAT) vs Al Wasl Afif, defender Pedro Miguel and goal- FC (UAE) keeper Saad Al Dosari played key roles Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, in guiding Qatar to title glory in Iraq Doha: 19:00 last week. Coach Jesualdo Ferreira said yes- TOMORROW terday: “It was a good performance Group G from our international players (who Cerezo Osaka (JPN) vs Jeju were) with the national team. That is United FC (KOR) a great motivator for us, especially Group G after winning the International Buriram United (THA) vs Friendship Championship in Iraq. All Guangzhou Evergrande FC those players have the confidence and (CHN) motivation to do well going into this Group H match.” Al Sadd’s players in action during a training session ahead of their AFC Champions League clash against UAE’s Al Wasl yesterday. Suwon Samsung Bluewings Al Sadd are at the top of Group C (KOR) vs Sydney FC (AUS) with nine points from four matches. Group H Second-placed Persepolis of Iran also Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN) vs have nine points. Kashima Antlers (JPN) The veteran Portuguese coach ACL: Al Rayyan eye away win Group B said Al Wasl, despite being already THE PENINSULA eliminated from this year’s champi- Zobahan FC (IRN) vs Al onship, remained a potent threat in Duhail SC (QAT) the game at Jassim bin Hamad TEHRAN: Al Rayyan will be Foolad Shahr Stadium, Stadium. looking for a win against group Isfahan: 17:15 “The game will not be easy. Eve- leaders Esteghlal, coach Michael Group B ryone knows that there is a psycho- Laudrup said ahead of the team’s Al Wahda FSCC (UAE) vs PFC logical aspect to such matches,” Fer- AFC Champions League clash Lokomotiv (UZB) reira said. “We are looking to get three today. Group A points and seal our qualification to the Al Rayyan, who have 6 points Al Gharafa (QAT) vs Al Jazira next round,” he added. “The players from 4 matches, will tackle home FSC (UAE) are looking confident,” he said. team Esteghlal at Azadi Stadium Thani bin Jassim Stadium, “We will be up against a fighting where crowd pressure can be a Doha: 18:30 team and it is a very important match tough task for visitors to counter. Group A for us. It is important that the team “We have the experience in Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) vs wins and that we qualify for the dealing with crow pressure,” Tractorsazi Tabriz (IRN) second round. We have no excuse not Laudrup said yesterday. “ Our Al Rayyan players, officials and supporing staff pose for a photograph upon their arrival in Tehran to win tomorrow at home, in front of goal is to get to the round of 16. on the eve of their AFC Champions League clash against Esteghlal. WEDNESDAY our own fans,” he added. We can do it. We presented a big Group F Defender Hamed Ismail said yes- game in Doha (against Al Hilal),” Khater said: “We have studied their unbeaten run and remain head-to-head record and would Ulsan Hyundai FC (KOR) vs terday: “We have worked hard during the popular Dane added. Esteghlal really well. We will on top of the standings. relieve any pressure going into Melbourne Victory (AUS) the last few days that we got off from Victory for either Esteghlal or work to create early attacks and Al Rayyan talisman Rodrigo the final round of fixtures. the league. The team is fully prepared, Al Rayyan when the pair clash in play to our strengths. It will be Tabata scored the decisive goal Esteghlal, who have never Group E especially after the return of our inter- Group D of the AFC Champions 11 players against 11 players and as the Qatari team defeated Al lost at home to a Qatari side on Kashiwa Reysol (JPN) vs national players. We are looking at a League at Azadi Stadium today yes, crowd pressure is always Hilal 2-1 to claim their first victory the continent, warmed up for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC win and we will play to win.” would secure their passage into there but that is not an hindrance of what is also an undefeated the game with a 2-1 league win (KOR) Ismail added: “Our goal is to go the knockout stage with a game to us.” campaign and move level on six over Naft Tehran on Thursday Group E advance in the AFC Champions to spare. Esteghlal played out a 1-1 points with today’s opponents. while Al Rayyan, who have had Kitchee SC (HKG) vs Tianjin League. We want to compete for all “It will be a difficult match for draw with Al Ain on their last With the sides playing out a a two-week break, welcome Quanjian FC (CHN)Group F the events we take part in. We will try both teams but we seek to return appearance in Tehran when 2-2 draw in the opening game of Sebastian Soria back into the Shanghai SIPG FC (CHN) vs to go the distance but with a step-by- with the three points,” Laudrup said. 90,000 spectators turned out to the group stage, three points for fold after the striker served a Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) step approach to achieve our goals.” Al Rayyan defender Saud Al see the Iranian giants maintain either ensures a better one-match ban. beIN to broadcast Indian Premier League in MENA THE PENINSULA it gives us great pleasure that ever reach for fans of VIVO IPL this time around, beIN worldwide Star India has tied DOHA: The most popular SPORTS will take the IPL to mil- up with like-minded partners Twenty20 cricket league in the lions of fans across the Middle who share the same passion for world, the VIVO Indian Premier East and North Africa, through the game. 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