DOHA (Qatar): Duhail SC coach Walid Regragui said that the team must be ready for all possibilities when they take on Al Taawoun Saudi in a group match of AFC Champions League tomorrow.
“Al Taawoun is a difficult team. It will be a tough challenge. We cannot underestimate them,” said Walid on Wednesday.
“What is important now is the qualification to the next stage of the competition. We will work hard to top the group. I am happy with the players’ performance after the loss against Sharjah team. We will work on achieving victory.”
A narrow 1-0 win for Al Duhail over Persepolis on Monday meant that the Group C will go down to the wire with all four sides still in contention.
The overturning of Medhi Benatia’s two-match suspension ahead of the game was an important filip to a side that conceded three times after his original sending off in the 4-2 defeat to Sharjah on Matchday Four.
With the former Bayern Munich and Juventus centre-back restored to the heart of the defence, it was no coincidence that Duhail recorded their second clean sheet of the campaign and first since their competition opener which also came against Monday’s opponents Persepolis.
However, the Duhail coach lamented the absence of fans during their matches.
“The lack of fans in the stadium definitely has a negative effect. The joy of football lies in the presence of them, but now all stadiums around the world are free of fans due to corona pandemic,” added Walid.
