ACL2018, Al Ahli KSA vs Al Sadd QAT- Preview
Jeddah: Al Sadd travel to Saudi Arabia to face Al Ahli with a 2-1 lead to defend from the first leg of the AFC Champions League Round of 16 when the sides meet for the second leg at King Abdullah Sports City on Monday.
Boualem Khoukhi netted twice in the opening 30 minutes to give Al Sadd a 2-0 lead at the interval last Monday, but Mohannad Aseri pulled one back just after the restart with a goal that is likely to ensure a nervy affair in Jeddah.
Al Ahli, who welcome Salman Muwashar back from suspension, are aiming to advance to a second successive quarter-final. The Saudi side’s best performance on the continent remains a runners-up finish in 2012.
The visitors, meanwhile are targeting a first last-eight appearance since 2014 and have Pedro Correia available once more after the defender served a one-match ban last week. Al Sadd remain the last team from West Asia to lift the continental title, when they were crowned champions in 2011.
The Qatari side’s domestic campaign came to a close over the weekend following a 1-0 defeat to Al Duhail in the Emir Cup semi-final to mean the AFC Champions League remains their last hope of rounding off their season with silverware.
