Al Sadd get set for ‘tough’ battle against Esteghlal

Qatar football giants Al Sadd know they can’t afford to hold back when they host Esteghlal at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium for their AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 Matchday Two tie today.
Al Sadd, the 2011 AFC Champions League winners, opened their continental campaign with a 1-1 draw against Al Ain of the UAE while Islamic Republic of Iran’s Esteghlal impressed in their 3-0 win against another Qatar side, Al Gharafa.
Having endured a difficult start to their domestic season, Al Sadd will go into the tie on a high after beating Al Gharafa 4-2 in their Qatar Stars League tie on Thursday.
“A difficult match awaits us against Esteghlal team. This will be the first match for us in our stadium, which we want to win,” Al Sadd coach Felix Sanchez said yesterday during a press conference.
“Al Sadd fans will be important and their presence in large numbers will be hugely beneficial in our favour,” the former Qatar coach said. “Their support will give us more strength,” he added.
Al Sadd player Youcef Atal said yesterday: “I am happy to participate in my first match in front of Al Sadd fans. We will strive to play a good match and get the three points we want.”
He added: “In the Asian Champions League, every team is difficult but we have prepared well. We hope to get the win.”
Seeking to advance to the knockout stage for the first time since 2020, Al Sadd know victory against an Esteghlal side they are familiar with - having met them five times previously - will be a tremendous boost to their hopes.
While Esteghlal played some of their best football against Al Gharafa two weeks ago, they have been struggling domestically and will head to Doha having lost 1-0 to Persepolis FC in their Iran Pro League clash on Wednesday.
History is also against them as Esteghlal have not won in their last six matches against Qatari teams and neither have they previously won their first two matches on the continental stage.
Qatar’s Al Rayyan, Al Nassr of Saudi lock horns in RiyadhAl Rayyan will brace themselves for a tough test when they take on hosts Al Nassr at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium for their AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 tie today.
Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr kicked off their League Stage campaign with a 1-1 draw against Iraq’s Al Shorta while Al Rayyan suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Al Hilal SFC.
Stefano Pioli will make his AFC Champions League Elite debut with the Italian, appointed Al Nassr head coach two weeks ago, expected to build his gameplan around Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese star missed the opening match due to illness but is back at his best with Al Nassr heading into the tie on the back of three consecutive wins.
They will expect a fourth victory, given their recent track record against Qatari teams with the Riyadh-based side undefeated in their last six outings, including four consecutive wins.
This will, however, be the first meeting between the sides on the continental stage with all their previous five encounters having come in Arab and Gulf Cup tournaments with Al Nassr having won twice and Al Rayyan once.
One of Qatar’s more popular sides, Al Rayyan should expect a tough challenge as they bid to advance to the knockout stage for just the second time, after having done so in 2022.
Their season has not started smoothly, with Thursday’s defeat to Al Arabi their fourth in six Qatar Stars League matches and with Al Nassr determined to go all the way for a win today, Al Rayyan - under a new coach - will have to be fully focused if they are to make their mark on the game.