23 Apr 2021 - 9:24
Al Sadd captain Hassan Al Haydos (left) practises with the ball as
Xavi Hernandez (second right) looks on during a training session.
The Peninsula
Al Sadd’s head coach Xavi Hernandez said consistency would be the key if Al Sadd are to progress to the Round of 16 as he side takes on Al Wehdat in 2021 AFC Champions League Group D fixture at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, today.
Al Sadd have endured a mixed campaign, needing a late goal to salvage a point against Foolad before being comprehensively beaten by Al Nassr 3-1 on Matchday Two.
The Qatar champions, however, rediscovered their best form against Al Wehdat and will be aiming for another three points. The Spanish legend urged his players to show the intensity they did in the first half against Al Wehdat on Monday.
Their form in the domestic league is also not encouraging as they languish in the sixth place after 23 rounds, six points adrift of third-placed Shabab Al Ahli. Hence, it will not be surprising if they miss out on ACL action for two consecutive years.
The other UAE teams have a similar story. In 2019, Al Wasl conceded 18 goals in six games to finish last in their group, while Al Nasr could not even get past the playoff stage. Only Al Wahda earned a spot in the knockouts, but they were also eliminated at the Round of 16.
In 2020, the unimpressive string of displays continued on the Asian stage. Al-Ain and Sharjah could not make their way out of the group stage, Al Wahda had to step down due to Covid cases in the team and Shabab Al-Ahli could progress no further than the Round of 16.
Al Sadd power past Al Wehdat to revive ACL hopes
21 Apr 2021 - 9:22
Al Sadd s Boualem Khoukhi celebrates with team-mate Guilherme after scoring their second goal yesterday
AFC
Al Sadd SC breathed life into their 2021 AFC Champions League (ACL) campaign with a 3-1 win over Jordan debutants Al Wehdat at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh yesterday.
Winless in two prior matches, the Qatari champions clicked into gear with a blistering three-goal burst in the opening 26 minutes, with Baghdad Bounedjah, Boualem Khoukhi and Hassan Al Haydos all getting on the scoresheet before an Ahmad Sameer penalty sparked an Al Wehdat revival late on.
Al Sadd and Al Wehdat have no room for error in crucial clash
20 Apr 2021 - 9:21
AFC
Qatar’s Al Sadd SC and Al Wehdat of Jordan will be vying for their first win in Group D of the 2021 AFC Champions League (AFC) when they clash at the King Fahd International Stadium in Royadh today.
Both teams have just one point to their names after two matches, and victory is a must in their bid to advance to the Round of 16, with only the group winners assured of a place. Al Sadd came into the 2021 ACL having won the Qatar Stars League unbeaten but have struggled in Group D, having had to claw back to salvage a 1-1 draw with Foolad Khouzestan on Matchday One, before suffering a 3-1 defeat to Al Nassr on Saturday.
In a vital 3-1 win over Al-Sadd of Qatar in Group D of the 2021 AFC Champions League Al-Nassr produced the form that took the club to second place in last season’s Saudi Pro League after what has been a chaotic season on and off the pitch.
Both sides went into the tie in the King Saud University Stadium needing the three points after opening their campaigns with disappointing draws. The Riyadh team had only managed a stalemate against group stage debutants Al-Wehdat of Jordan, while Al-Sadd required an 89th minute equalizer against Iran’s Foolad Khouzestan for 1-1 finish.