Saudi football giants Al Ahli arrived in Doha yesterday by chartered flight, marking the first instance of a team from a blockading country visiting Qatar for a sporting clash ever since the Gulf crisis began in June last year.
The thrice Saudi Professional League champions will take on Qatar’s Al Gharafa today in a high profile AFC Champions League match, underlining the importance of the role of sport in easing tensions caused by political and diplomatic disputes. The match begins at 6pm at the Al Gharafa Stadium.
Jeddah-based Al Ahli , who finished runners-up in the AFC Champions League two times, are leading Group A in this year’s competition with wins over Iran’s Tractorsazi and the UAE’s Al Jazira. A victory over Al Gharafa today will boost their chances of qualifying for the knockouts of the prestigious Asian tournament.
“We did not have any special preparations for this game. Our preparations were normal,” Al Ahli’s assistant coach Eduardo Docampo Aldama told reporters at the pre-match press conference.
Aldama refused an answer when asked if his team were happy to play in Qatar, saying his only concern was to get three points from the match against Al Gharafa.
“We are doing well in the Saudi League and also in the AFC Champions League. We would like to extend our winning streak.”
Aldama acknowledged, however, that it won’t be an easy game for his team.
“Al Gharafa are a good team and surely this match will be a difficult one. All our players will have a special game tomorrow and we need all their efforts to earn full points.”
He was of the opinion that all teams in the group are capable of qualifying for the next phase of the tournament.
“They have equal chances but we are only thinking about our game tomorrow against Al Gharafa.”
Al Gharafa coach Bulent Uygun meanwhile is hoping his team’s crushing 6-1 win over Al Rayyan in the QNB Stars League last week will spur his team against Al Ahli.
“This is one of the biggest competitions for us and knowing its importance we will try to make the Qatari and Al Gharafa fans happy tomorrow,” said Uygun.
“Our league victory over Al Rayyan last week will surely provide additional motivation for the players although this is a different competition and a different game altogether.
The Turk added that Al Gharafa have the ability to beat any team on their day.
“Al Ahli are strong opponents and one of the top teams of Saudi Arabia. It will be a tough game but we are ready for a positive result.”
Al Gharafa defeated Tractorsazi 3-0 last month in Doha with new signing Mehdi Taremi of Iran scoring two goals. Earlier in the competition they lost 3-2 away to Al Jazira of the UAE in a tough encounter which they could have won with some luck.
The last meeting between the pair, in the 2013 group stage, ended in an entertaining 2-2 draw in Doha.
Meanwhile Qatar’s Al Sadd will be taking on Uzbekistan’s Nasaf at the Markaziy Stadium in the Uzbek city of Qarshi today.
Nasaf are aiming for their second successive home win in Group C following their 1-0 victory over Al Wasl last month.
Al Sadd are looking for their third victory after seeing off Iran’s Persepolis and the UAE’s Al Wasl earlier in the tournament, Baghdad Bounedjah scored two goals apiece in both matches.
Victory would see Al Sadd move within touching distance of the knockout round and would also be only the second time the Doha side have won three successive games in the competition, having also done so in 2006.
Nasaf, meanwhile, have come up against Qatari opposition four times but have yet to win.
Persepolis will be aiming for a positive response from their defeat to Al Sadd two weeks ago when they face Al Wasl in Tehran.
They began their campaign in fine fashion, defeating Nasaf 3-0 in Tehran, but were well beaten by Al Sadd in Doha. Persepolis, though, are strong at home, having not lost at Azadi Stadium since the 2012 group stage in a run that has now reached eight games.
In the fourth match of the day, Al Jazira will meet Tractorsazi Tabriz at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
