Son Heung-min scores four goals to star in Tottenham’s rout of Southampton paGE 14 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 Persepolis coach thanks Xavi predicts clash of styles Qatar, praises phenomenal as Al Sadd face Al Nassr facilities TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA IN what would be a mouth- watering clash of the 2020 THE head coach of Iranian AFC Champions League, football club Persepolis -- twice semi-finalists Al Sadd Yahya Golmohammadi on will meet leaders Al Nassr FC Sunday profusely thanked in Group D at the Jassim Bin the State of Qatar and Qa- Hamad Stadium on Monday. tar Football Association Al Nassr have already for hosting the 2020 AFC sealed qualification to the Champions League (West Round of 16 after collecting Zone). He also praised full points from their double Qatar for its phenomenal header against Sepahan FC in sports facilities. and the the previous two matchdays, Qatar Football Associa- while Al Sadd came out of tion for hosting the 2020 their own fixtures against Al AFC Champions League Ain with four points, meaning (West Zone). they are a win away from ad- Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez addresses the media ahead of his vancing to the next round. team’s AFC Champions League Group D match against Al Nassr. Coach Xavi Hernandez’s Al Sadd are the highest scoring team in the 2020 AFC Champi- ons League so far, having netted 12 goals in their past four games, while only Al Hilal (2) have con- Al Sadd had beaten Al Nassr on their way to the semi-finals in the AFC Champions League last year. In the ceded less than Al Nassr’s three 2020 edition, Al Nassr have already sealed qualification to the Round of 16 after collecting full points from goals in West Asia. their double header against Sepahan FC in the previous two matchdays, while Al Sadd came out of their Given the scenario, the Qa- own fixtures against Al Ain with four points, meaning they are a win away from advancing to the next round. tar club side will surely aim to go one up and seal their quali- STANDINGS players are in a good moment, “The game will be difficult ficationin their penultimate physically and mentally. We because of the opposition’s group stage match. GROUP D are in our best conditions and quality. We have quality too, Speaking at the pre-match Club M W D L GF GA GD Pts we must use this opportunity.” so we can expect a good game. Finally, with regards to We are aware of their individ I would like to thank press conference, Xavi said: Al Nassr (KSA) 4 3 1 0 8 3 5 10 - “Al Nassr is one one of the best Al Sadd (QAT) 4 2 2 0 12 5 7 8 changes in Al Nassr’s gameplay ual and team attributes, so we the State of Qatar and teams in the competition. We Sepahan (IRN) 4 1 0 3 4 7 -3 3 compared to the previous year, will enjoy the game and hope- Qatar Football played them in the quarter- Al Ain (UAE) 4 0 1 3 4 13 -9 1 Xavi said: “Al-Nassr’s style has fully get a good result. Our Association for building finals last year and also in Feb- not changed from last year. philosophies do not change, these stadiums. I have ruary this year. But this time, They are a good team and score but we make minor tweaks to it will be different. They have We must be fully prepared: Nam Tae-hee The players are comfortable a lot of goals. We are speaking counter different opposition.” never ever seen or strengthened the team with with this way.” of a strong team that is capable “Both teams are big, both experienced such new players, and they have an Al Sadd’s South Korean midfielder Nam Tae-hee has stressed Xavi, however, added that of reaching the semifinal, and have some really good play- wonderful football excellent striker – Abderrazak on the importance of being fully prepared, ahead of the Al Nassr the team will have to excel both so we must be well prepared.” ers, and both have a winning arenas with advance Hamdallah.” match. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, he said: in attack and defence. “The And while a place in the mentality. All my players are technology. I would like “Our goal is to win and “We will face a strong team. Al Nassr is better than last season challenge for us is to score and knock-out stage is already se- ready, and the line-up will be to qualify for the next round. and therefore we have to be more than 100% ready. If we play also take care of defence. This cured for head coach Rui Vito- decided as we see fit techni- to express my heartfelt We have to give our best, and with the same quality as in the previous match against Al Ain, is what happened in the second ria’s men, the Portuguese still cally,” said Vitoria. gratitude to every we cannot relax, especially we will be able to get the win and the three points.” game against Al Ain. The prob- relishes the challenge of test- The previous game be- single one of those against these kind of teams. It As for his readiness for the match, Nam said: “I know I need to lem is not with the defence, the ing his side against one of the tween the two sides ended in involved in bringing could be one of the best games make more effort for the team. Last season, I came back from responsibility of not conceding best teams in the competition. a 2-2 draw on Matchday Two. Asian club football in the competition. It will be an injury, but now I am completely ready for every match, and of lies with the entire team.” “We have sealed qualifica- Hamdallah’s early strike was fantastic for the fans and also course I want to improve in every match to help the team win.” He further added: “We tion, but Al Sadd still need a cancelled out by teammate back to us and made it for the competition and hope- made changes in the last two result here to qualify, though Abdulelah Al Amri’s own goal, possible for us to play fully, we can get three points.” games, rotating players. We both teams are in a somewhat before Hassan Al Haydos put here. I wish nothing but Asked about his side’s ap- ceded any goals here so far. “That is our way. They are have 4 or 5 players who have similar position. We want to Al Sadd ahead only to have success for the entire proach for the game, the coach But we have a good attack and good in defence, we are good played 90 minutes in both keep winning to prove our Abdulrahman Al Obaid score Qatari football family. said: “Al Nassr have a good de- our aim is to score more goals in attack. We want to domi- games. We can manage things quality and mentality,” said the equaliser for Al Nassr five fence and they have not con- than our opponents. nate, create chances to score. with the substitutions. The Vitoria. minutes later. Persepolis head coach Yahya Golmohammadi “First of all, I would like to thank the State of Qatar and Qatar Football Asso- Persepolis wary of their former star ciation for building these stadiums. As a player and now coach I have travelled far and wide, but have never Rezaeian as they face Al Duhail ever seen or experienced such wonderful football are- nas with advance technol- AFC “We know this is a strong ogy,” said the former Iran DOHA STANDINGS team which has just won the international, who played in GROUP C last two games in the group the 2006 FIFA World Cup PERSEPOLIS FC midfielder Club M W D L GF GA GD Pts stage,” said Al Duhail head Finals, ahead of his team’s Kamal Kamyabinia lauded the coach Walid Regragui, who Persepolis (IRN) 4 2 1 1 4 4 0 7 match against Al Duhail. qualities of former teammate like Benatia, is a former Mo- Al Taawoun (KSA) 4 2 0 2 3 2 1 6 “These venues are not and current Al Duhail winger roccan international defender. only a credit to Qatar, Ramin Rezaeian ahead of the Al Duhail (QAT) 4 2 0 2 6 7 -1 6 “We are still unsure wheth- but to the whole Asian two sides’ Group C meeting Sharjah (UAE) 4 1 1 2 7 7 0 4 er Karim Boudiaf and Edmil- continent.” in the 2020 AFC Champions son will be available for selec- “No country apart from League at the Education City Today’s Matches tion, they are still recovering. Qatar was brave or ready Stadium on Monday. We know with them playing enough to stage the AFC A win for the Tehran-based Group D: (at Jassim Bin we are stronger because they Champions League (West side would mean a guaranteed Hamad Stadium) are really good players, but we Zone) competition. I would place in the knock-out stage 6pm: Al Sadd (QAT) vs played without them from the like to express my heartfelt for the third time in four years, start just like we played with- gratitude to every single while Al Duhail can overtake Al Nassr (KSA) out Asim Madibo and Bas- one of those involved in their opponents into the top 9pm: Sepahan (IRN) vs sam Al Rawi.