Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ahli and United Arab Emirates captain Ahmed Khalil is out to end an impressive year for the striker personally with victory over China’s Guangzhou Evergrande in the final of the AFC Champions League ahead of Saturday’s first leg at Rashid Stadium in Dubai.
Khalil scored four goals at the start of the year as the UAE finished third at the AFC Asian Cup, while the striker has continued his national team form with five goals at the start of the second round of joint qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
The 24-year-old is also the joint second highest scorer in the AFC Champions League this season with Khalil’s six goals helping Al Ahli become the first side from the UAE to reach the final in 10 years after compatriots and 2003 champions Al Ain lost to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad in 2005.
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“This is something normal, a challenge between me and myself to improve. I wanted to produce better performances during the season especially after the last one,” said 2008 AFC Young Player of the Year Khalil.
“I always aim to be amongst the best players or scorers in every competition. Since the start of the competition, this is the competition between me and myself.
“I always hope that this doesn't affect the team play. In the end, we are all looking for a win and let's hope we achieve it.”
And while winning the AFC Champions League will be fitting end to the year for Khalil and his team-mates, it will have even more meaning for the striker who has been with the club since the age of seven.
Khalil eventually made his debut for Al Ahli during the 2006/07 aged 16 having followed in the footsteps of brothers Faoud and Faisal.
Elder brother Faisal, who helped the UAE win the Gulf Cup in 2007, twice won the domestic league title with Al Ahli in 2006 and most recently in 2009 with his younger brother alongside him.
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“We have a responsibility as players, but we are up to the challenge. I hope we use all our might in this match because we have a chance to achieve success,” added Khalil, who is also now a two-time UAE domestic title winner having helped Al Ahli lift the trophy in 2014 to qualify for this year’s AFC Champions League.
“We'll see what the manager's advice is, and prepare for the match well. Let's hope we win.”
Having scored three goals in four games in the last 16 and quarter-final successes over fellow Arabian Gulf League side Al Ain and Iran’s Naft Tehran, Khalil did not find the net last time out in the AFC Champions League against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal in the semi-finals, but the striker did provide an exquisite low cross for Brazilian Rodrigo Lima in the first half of the second leg last month as the home side eventually won a thrilling encounter 3-2 to seal their place in the final.
And Al Ahli will hope the pair will continue that understanding against a Guangzhou side who secured a fifth consecutive Chinese Super League title at the weekend and who are unbeaten in all competitions since the end of May.
“Guangzhou are a strong team and we know they have prepared for the match,” said Khalil, who had also scored twice at the start of the new domestic league season to help Al Ahli maintain a 100% record after five games.
“Guangzhou are a good team, but we believe we can show a good picture of ourselves.”
Photo: WSG