DOHA (Qatar): Reigning Qatar Stars League champions Al Duhail take on holders Al Sadd in a 2020-21 season Ooredoo Cup’s postponed match from Round 1 (Group A) at the Qatar SC Stadium on Saturday.
The game was postponed owing to both teams’ campaigns in the 2020 AFC Champions League.
Al Sadd are currently fourth in the table with four points, following their first victory in this season’s tournament they recorded on Wednesday, 4th November (1-0 against Al Khor). Hashem Ali scored the all-important goal.
The Wolves earned their other point from their 4-4 draw with Al Sailiya in Round 3. Al Sadd had lost 2-3 to Qatar SC in Round 2.
On the other hand, Al Duhail are languishing at the bottom of Group A with three points that they collected from their 1-0 victory over Qatar SC, also on 4th November, with Yasen Abdullah netting the winner.
The Red Knights had lost 1-3 to Al Sailiya in Round 2 and to Al Wakrah by the same scoreline in Round 3.
Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez is expected to rely on the same group of players, especially youngsters, who played their last match against Al Khor, such as goalkeeper Jehad Mohammed, Ahmed Bader Sayyar, Bahaa Ellethy, Saoud Al Nasr, Hashem Ali, Moaz Abdullah, Abdullah Al Yazidi, Faisal Mohamed and Hossam Kamal besides vastly-experienced player Rodrigo Tabata.
Al Duhail are likely to field a squad comprising mostly young players, like Diyab Haroon, Saleh Saeed, Mohammed Emad Aiash, Abdulrahman Al Jassem, Khaled Yousef, Yasen Abdullah and Abdullah Arafa, in the company of goalkeeper Ahmed Sofyan and captain Mohammed Moosa.
The result will have a strong bearing on both teams’ chances of reaching the knockout quarterfinals, so a keen contest is on cards.
