Familiar foes Al Rayyan, Al Hilal set for ACL Elite clash

It will be a meeting of familiar foes when Qatari giants Al Rayyan welcome Saudi club Al Hilal to the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium for their AFC Champions League Elite opener on Tuesday.
The two sides have previously met eight times on the continental stage and Al Rayyan coach Poya Asbaghi on Monday confidently said his team is ready for their clash against Al Hilal.
“Al Rayyan’s preparations have gone well. The atmosphere within the team is excellent and there is great enthusiasm and a desire to perform at our best in this continental tournament,” coach Asbaghi said on Monday during a press conference.
“We know Al Hilal’s strengths, so we will try to neutralise their threats and we will demonstrate that on the field,” Asbaghi said.
“We have performed well in our recent match against Al Shahaniya in the domestic league, but continental competition is different. We know we must play with a different defensive organisation than the matches we play in the domestic league in order to build attacks, maintain good possession of the ball and ensure that the opponent does not dominate,” Asbaghi added.
“We respect our opponents and they have great abilities. There are many strengths such as the Serbian striker Alexander Mitrovic, as well as Salem al-Dawsari, and we have a great deal of knowledge about all Al Hilal players. Everyone in our team hopes to perform to their best ability in this continental tournament, which includes an elite group of great players,” Al Rayyan coach said.
Asbaghi praised the new system of the continental tournament, noting that it provides an opportunity for teams in the West and East regions of the continent to play ‘more matches and gain significant experience’.
Al Rayyan, who will be making their 12th appearance at the top tier of Asian club football, will be eager to better their previous best of a Round of 16 appearance in the 2022 edition of the AFC Champions League.
They will, however, be required to be at their best after a relatively slow start to the Qatar Stars League 2024/25 season where they are currently sitting fifth, six points adrift of pacesetters Al Duhail SC.
Al Rayyan’s Belgian player Julien De Sart said during a press conference on Monday: “We are facing a big challenge and this type of match is very important for Al Rayyan in order to play with a high level of competition.”
The former Gent player added: “We must play with a good defensive style and tighten control over their most important strengths. We aim to please our fans in this continental tournament, which includes many distinguished players who have great experience of playing in Europe.”
Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus said during a press conference on Monday: “The Asian competition will launch with a new form, which makes it a different challenge for us. We will face a tough team that has outstanding players, and we will strive for victory. The competition becomes harder than before for all the teams due to the participation of all foreign players.”
Al-Dawsari of Al Hilal said: “We seek to continue our leadership in the Asian titles. Our target is to win the first game. In Al Hilal, we have to bear all pressures as a champion and a competitor team in all championships.”
Al Hilal have enjoyed a flying start to their Saudi Pro League 2025/25 campaign, Saturday’s 3-0 win against Al Riyadh making it four wins on the trot.
Seeking a fifth Asian title, Al Hilal – appearing on the continental stage for a record 20th time – will be determined to make up for falling in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League 2023/24 to eventual winners Al Ain FC of the UAE.