DOHA (Qatar): Reigning Qatar Stars League champions Al Sadd will start their campaign against Oceania champions Hienghene Sport in 2019 FIFA Club World Cup here on Wednesday.
The Qatari champions have more experience than Hienghene Sport, and will have the home advantage but are wary of their opponents.
Sadd, under Xavi Hernandez, are staying fully focused and the Qatar internationals who did duty in the Gulf Cup have returned to their fold.
The team’s technical staff had been putting other players through their paces in the absence of main players.
Al Sadd defeated Al Rayyan 6-0 in their last group match in the Ooredoo Cup.
New Caledonian team Hienghene Sport, coached by Felix Tagawa, may not have much credentials in terms of trophies won, but they can prove a tricky side for the rivals.
It may be noted that this is the second time Al Sadd are competing in the Club World Cup, after 2011 in Japan, having won the AFC Champions League title that year. The Wolves represented Asia and finished third then.
This time around, Al Sadd will be keen to match or even emulate that record, especially since they will be playing at home.
The Qatari side will play CONCACAF winners CF Monterrey on Saturday (December 14), if they pass the first hurdle.
