AL GHARAFFA Sports Club despite going down 0-3 to Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia in first leg quarterfinal of the AFC Champions League in Riyadh last week, is in an upbeat mood as it takes on the Saudi club in the return leg on home turf on Wednesday.
Gharaffa coach Caio Junior, well aware of the fact that his players have a mountain to climb, put up a brave front on eve of the match.
He said, “In football the approach is either theoretic or practical.
Hilal will come all out to play and maintain its lead.
We will, however, be at an advantage because my players are in good shape and will enjoy the support of home crowd.” Ciao emphasised the value of fans’ support and said that his players greatly value them.
He urged them to pack the stadium on Wednesday and make the atmosphere ‘an intimidating one’ for the opponent.
Gharaffa, however, will miss the services of star Brazilian midfielder Juninho in the match.
Coach Caio Junior exhorted his players to prove that theirs is not a one-man team.
Caio said he has got capable player to replace him in the squad and the replacement had proven himself in the Qatar Stars League encounter against Lekhwiya.
“Juninho will not be playing for us and it gives me a chance to evaluate the team’s performance without him,” said Junior, adding, “This won’t do us any harm as I believe rest of my players can compensate for his absence.
We played without him against Lekhwiya and won comfortably.” The Qatar Stars League champion club comes to the match high on confidence after beating a strong Lekhwiya side in its opening QSL match, with Iraqi striker Younes Mahmoud and Clemerson de Araujo producing some magic.
Younis Mahmud, though not underestimating his opponent, is optimistic of Gharafffa advancing to semifinal of the prestigious tournament.
“Hilal players are used to playing such matches.
They have a lot of experience.
But we are Qatar champion and will make it crystal clear that we are capable of progressing beyond this stage.” Hilal, who has been consistently impressive under Belgian great Eric Gerets, is positive of a good outing in Doha.
They are expected to welcome back Christian Wilhelmsson to the starting line-up after the Swedish winger missed the first leg through suspension.
Gerets, said, “Naturally in any competition, matches become tougher in the later stages.
Ghaffara is a strong team and many good players play in the team.
“We will take things seriously and search for goals.
We will try not to concede goals as we are eager to maintain our 3 goals advantage.” Defender Osama Hawsawi knows it is vital for Al Hilal not to slip against Al Gharaffa in the second leg.
He said his teammates were determined to put up a stellar performance against them.
“We are prepared and confident of progressing,” he said.
“I know Gharafa will come all out to attack.
They will be fearless in their approach as they have nothing to lose.
We will, however, search for goals as attack is the best form of defence.” The match will be officiated by officials from Singapore.
The referee is Abdul Malik, who will be assisted by Jeffrey Goh Gek Pheng and Mohammed Mousa Abu.
The final of Asia’s top club competition will be staged at Tokyo’s National Stadium on November 13.
Winner of the tournament will qualify for the lucrative FIFA Club World Cup in December 2010.
No comments:
Post a Comment