Salim Cheniouni
Al Gharafa are set to host UAE's Al Ain FC at Al Bayt Stadium tonight, as they look to reignite their AFC Champions League (ACL) Elite 2024/25 campaign. Kick-off is scheduled for 9pm.
The Qatari side will be eager to bounce back after a disappointing 3-0 defeat in their opening match against Iran’s Esteghlal FC. Meanwhile, Al Ain, the reigning champions, were held to a 1-1 draw by Al Sadd SC in their first fixture at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.
Al Gharafa’s upcoming match comes in the wake of a significant 2-0 victory for Al Sadd over Esteghlal yesterday at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, while Al Rayyan suffered a 2-1 defeat to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. Both results have added pressure to the Qatari teams as they aim to progress in the competition.
Determined to turn their fortunes around, Al Gharafa will be aiming for a strong performance against Al Ain. Coach Pedro Martins is focused on addressing recent weaknesses, whether in domestic competitions or the ACL Elite, with the goal of securing a crucial victory. The Cheetahs recently fought hard in a 4-2 loss to Al Sadd in the Ooredoo Stars League's sixth round, and they are hungry for a comeback.
Ahead of the match, Martins expressed confidence in his team's preparations, stating that the squad is optimistic and ready for the challenge. He emphasized the importance of achieving a positive result to recover from their opening loss and acknowledged the difficulty of facing the title holders. However, Martins reiterated that Al Gharafa is determined to perform at their best and prove their capabilities in pursuit of a win.
On the other side, Al Ain’s Argentine coach, Hernan Crespo, acknowledged the challenge of facing Al Gharafa but assured that his team is well-prepared for the match. Crespo highlighted the competitive nature of every game in the tournament and praised Al Gharafa’s talented squad. Nevertheless, he emphasized that his team remains focused on securing victory.
With both teams featuring strong players in every position, the match promises to be highly competitive and thrilling, not only on the field but also in the tactical battle between Martins and Crespo. Both sides will be pushing hard for the three points to boost their chances of advancing to the next round.
The AFC Champions League Elite group stage, which runs from September 16 to February 19, 2025, divides the competition into East and West Zones with 12 teams in each. Teams will play eight matches—four at home and four away—against opponents within their zone. The top eight teams will advance to the Round of 16, with the quarterfinals scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia from April 25 to May 4, 2025.