Al Sadd will take on Uzbekistan’s club FC Nasaf in a no-holds ‘do-or-die’ round six Group B contest of the AFC Champions League 2023-24 season at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha today at 4pm.
Both teams will be eyeing a win to keep their chances of progressing into the Round of 16. While a win will seal Nasaf’s top spot into the knockouts, Al Sadd will need the three winning points to keep their hopes alive.
Al Sadd are third in Group B with seven points (two wins, a draw and two losses). FC Nasaf are leading the group with 10 points, followed by Sharjah FC with eight points.
Al Faisaly of Jordan are last with three points and are out of contention for a Round of 16 spot.
Top teams from each of the ten AFC Champions League groups advance to the Round of 16, along with the best three second-placed teams from among the five West Asian groups.
Al Sadd have endured another difficult AFC Champions League season but their convincing victory over UAE’s Sharjah FC has kept them in contention.
The Wolves have also shown good form with their recent Expo Stars League 4-0 win against Al Shamal on Saturday.
Although, having already defeated Al Sadd once this season, the Uzbekistan side will be confident of their chances. Al Sadd will regain the services of defender Paulo Otavio, who was missing in action in their previous AFC Champions League game against Sharjah FC due to suspension.
Speaking at the pre-match conference, Al Sadd head coach Wesam Rizk stressed that his team was ready for the crucial clash and hopeful of securing a spot in the last 16. “It’s our last chance in the group stage, and we are playing for the win. We know that Nasaf are currently leading, and our goal is to get all three points,” he said.
He added, “The team is fully prepared, and we aim to show ourselves in the best light to secure qualification. We have only one opportunity and we will wait for the results of the other matches. We will play with the last remaining hope to secure a spot in the Round of 16.
“We will focus on the small details to achieve victory. Our players have a professional mentality, and I appreciate their performance in the recent period, especially the team captain Hassan Al Haydos, who has had a significant role with the team lately.”
The coach concluded, “Nasaf are leading the group and has outstanding players. We are ready for them, relying on ourselves to achieve the win and cling on to the hope of qualification.” Al-Sadd captain Hassan al-Haydos has characterised the upcoming match against Nasaf in the AFC Champions League as a challenging clash that will require that team to play at their best.
Al-Haydos hoped that the home game would help Al Sadd gain advantage of the fan support.
“We are ready for the Nasaf match, and we will try to enter the encounter with full strength. The game will be tough as all teams have equal chances, and I hope we will be up to the task to qualify for the Round of 16.
“The match is at our home ground and in front of the Al Sadd fans, which is the most crucial element for us in tomorrow’s match. Their support is the fuel that will propel us to give our best,” he said.
Regarding the guidance of coach Rizk, al-Haydos said, “I am honoured to work with Captain Wesam. He is a national coach who understands the players’ mentality. We are moving with him step by step on the right path.”