Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Jeddah: Christian Gross prepared his Al Ahli team for their AFC Champions League meeting with Al Ahli from the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday by claiming they are on the right track towards qualifying for the knockout phase of the 2015 competition.
The Saudis lead Group D by three points from the side from the UAE but Gross will go into the game without the services of Waleed Bakhswan, who is suspended, while Omar Al Soma (pictured) is absent due to a groin injury.
“We had a definite target before the competition which is to win all our home matches and get positive results in the away matches,” said Gross, who saw Syrian striker Al Soma bag both goals as the 2012 ACL runners-up shared a 2-2 draw with Tractorsazi in their Matchday Four meeting in Tabriz.
“So far we are right on track and hopefully we can win tomorrow to qualify from the group.
“We will be playing against a strong team who are now in a good position in the competition after winning their last match against Nasaf. I hope that the fans will support us in big numbers because this period is very decisive for us.”
Victory would guarantee Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli a place in the Round of 16 while the Emiratis are looking to take all three points after holding their Saudi counterparts to a 3-3 draw in a thrilling encounter on Matchday One.
Al Ahli from the UAE are in second place in the group, with the Saudis three points ahead on eight while Nasaf and Tractorsazi are level on four points.
The Emiratis welcome back defender Salmin Khamis and midfielder Ismail Al Hammadi, who both missed the 1-0 over Nasaf in Uzbekistan due to suspension, but goalkeeper Majed Naser is out for the final two matches in the group stages after he was suspended.
“We are going to play against the best team in the group as they are at the top of the table and they have got positive results in their previous matches,” said coach Cosmin Olaroiu, who saw his team notch up a 2-2 draw with Al Nasr in the domestic league on Thursday.
“However, we are ready for the match and hopefully we can get a positive result.
“Our aim is to return home with a good result that will keep our chances to qualify alive from the group. All the teams have a chance to advance and this is one of the reasons that our match against Al Ahli is important and tough at the same time.”
Photo: AFP