The livewire Brazilian joined Al Ittihad from Emirati outfit Al Jazira in 2018, having scored six times in that year’s edition of the AFC Champions League.

After initially struggling to find his feet with his new employers, Romarinho was soon grabbing headlines galore thanks to the seven goals he went on to bag in the Saudi Pro League and when he scored in each of Al Ittihad’s last three group stage games in the AFC Champions League.

As a hot summer across West Asia comes to an end, it has also been a heated season in the transfer market. The eight teams from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Islamic Republic of Iran and Qatar bolstered their ranks with exciting signings who hope to start with a bang as teams kick-off their season with the 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16 matches in August.

The recent subject of an on-off transfer to domestic rivals Al Gharafa, Khoukhi arrived in Europe at the weekend determined to focus on his side’s upcoming AFC Champions League Round of 16 tie against Al Duhail SC.

With the two-legged Continental showdown set to start next week, Khoukhi has been quick to outline his targets for the competition and the positive impact he believes new head coach Xavi will have on his charges.

Al Duhail are scheduled to meet rivals Al Sadd SC over two legs in the AFC Champions League Round of 16 on August 6 and 13, before facing the same opponents when their latest domestic campaign gets underway with the Qatari Super Cup on August 17.

Despite the hectic nature of football’s modern-day calendar, Ali has targetted nothing but success for the side which finished as runners-up to Al Sadd in last season’s Qatar Stars League standings, but exacted a degree of revenge by comprehensively claiming the Amir of Qatar Cup title.

In the day’s earlier game, Jonathan Soriano’s brace along with goals from Mohammed Al Shalhoub, Nasser Al Dawsari, Omar Khrbin, Hatan Bahbri and Ahmad Sharaf saw a largely second-string Al Hilal side run out 7-1 winners against NK Brine Grosuplje who play in Slovenia’s third tier.

Doi played in both legs when Kashima slid out at the Round of 16 phase at the hands of the Chinese Super League club – and two-time AFC Champions League winners – as Antlers continued a dismal record of failing to advance to the last eight for the fourth time since 2009.

But, with their confidence since boosted by their first-ever title win last year, Doi is convinced he and his teammates can avenge that loss and keep alive their dream of claiming back-to-back AFC Champions League crowns.

The 45-year-old Dutch tactician took over from compatriot Henk Ten Cate in June, and has been using the camp to familiarise himself with the players.