LONDON: Spain’s decorated midfielder Xavi Hernandez is wary of Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al-Ahli ahead of their AFC Champions League second-round clash with Al-Sadd on Monday.
The Qatari team, who were champions in 2011, take on the Jeddah giants on Monday in one of the ties of the round – and the former Barcelona star is looking forward to the first-leg clash against the sole survivors from the Kingdom.
“We know that this will be a tough game,” Xavi told Arab News. “Al-Ahli are a good team and Saudi Arabia is a strong football country but we are confident that if we work hard then we know can get past them and into the next round.”
The first leg is on Monday at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha while the second leg is a week later at King Abdullah Sports City. The tournament is divided into east and west geographical zones until the end of the competition in November.
“The important thing is that we perform to our best and work hard to ensure that Al Ahli can’t get into the game,” added Xavi who joined Al Sadd in 2015. “Whichever team makes it will deserve to do do so”
Al-Ahli finished top of Group A with four wins from six matches, but since they have suffered the agony of losing the Saudi Pro League title to Al-Hilal by a solitary point and also lost their coach, Fathi Al-Jabal replacing the fired Sergiy Rebrov.
“We are away in the first leg,” said Al Jabal in his press conference. “The important thing is to stay in touch and then we know that we can come back in the second leg. We know that we can do it. To be in the knockout stage is a great achievement. The most important point is however that we can compete against the best teams in the region.”
Elsewhere, Al-Jazira of the UAE host Iran’s Persepolis while Al-Ain, finalists in 2016, take on Al-Duhail of Qatar.
The eastern and western side of the draw takes place in September with teams from the two zones meeting only in the final in November.
Barca great Xavi expecting ‘tough game’ from Al-Ahli in knockout round of AFC Champions League
Barca great Xavi expecting ‘tough game’ from Al-Ahli in knockout round of AFC Champions League
- Al-Sadd and Al-Ahli to meet in last-16 clash in Doha
- Al-Ahli play for the first time since coach Rebrov was fired
Bangladesh will not play T20 World Cup matches in India, says sports adviser
- The development follows release of Mustafizur Rahman by IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders
- Bangladesh are scheduled to play three Twenty20 World Cup matches in Kolkata next month
Bangladesh will not play their Twenty20 World Cup matches in India after Mustafizur Rahman was released by his Indian Premier League team amid growing tensions between the countries, Bangladesh’s sports adviser Asif Nazrul said on Sunday.
Kolkata Knight Riders said on Saturday they had released the Bangladesh bowler after being told to do so by India’s cricket board (BCCI).
Bangladesh are scheduled to play three Twenty20 World Cup matches in Kolkata next month, with the February 7-March 8 tournament being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
“Bangladesh will not go to India to play the World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has taken this decision today,” Nazrul, who is an adviser to the Ministry of Sports, said in a statement.
“We welcome this decision taken in the context of the extreme communal policy of India’s cricket board.”
Last month, hundreds protested near Bangladesh’s High Commission in New Delhi after Hindu factory worker Dipu Chandra Das was beaten and set on fire in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district by a crowd that accused him of making derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad.
A total of 12 people were arrested in connection with his death.
WORSENED RELATIONS
The incident worsened relations between India and its neighbor, with ties already strained after Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to New Delhi following protests against her.
After Mustafizur’s release on Saturday, the BCB had held an emergency meeting and were planning to write to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate their matches and raise concerns about player safety.
“The board said that where a Bangladesh cricketer can’t play in India despite being contracted, the entire Bangladesh cricket team can’t feel safe to go to the World Cup,” Nazrul had said.
“I have also instructed the board to request Bangladesh World Cup games to be held in Sri Lanka.”
Last year, the ICC allowed India to play Champions Trophy matches in the United Arab Emirates due to soured relations with hosts Pakistan.
On Sunday, cricket news site Cricbuzz reported that the BCB would ask the BCCI for a formal explanation regarding Mustafizur’s release.
The ICC and BCB did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.
Bangladesh are due to play West Indies, England and Italy in Kolkata before ending the group stage against Nepal in Mumbai.
