(MENAFN- The Peninsula) AFC
Doha: Qatari side Al Rayyan will make their ninth appearance in the AFC Champions League following their 3-1 win over Iran's Saipa in Tuesday's play-off, and defender Mohammed Al Alawi believes that the 2019 edition could be a special one for The Lions.
So far the record reads: eight AFC Champions League appearances, eight AFC Champions League Group Stage eliminations for Al Rayyan.
But with a comeback win over Iranian side Saipa in the play-offs to confirm a ninth continental campaign, 2019 could be the year that breaks the knockout stage drought according to fullback Al Alawi.
'I would like to give my congratulations to the people of Qatar and the fans of Al Rayyan for this victory. Hopefully now the best is yet to come, said the 32-year-old defender.
'We are in the Group Stage once more with that result, and now our thoughts are absolutely focused on how to go through this phase of the tournament and into the Round of 16.
The hosts did not have an easy passage to Asia's premier club competition with Saipa making Al Rayyan work for their place among the continent's elite, stunning the home crowd inside four minutes when Arman Ramezani capitalised on a defensive mix-up to stab home the opener.
Gelmin Rivas' 27th minute leveller restored parity but the tie was in the balance right until the closing minutes when Sebastian Soria headed home and then Rivas completed his brace.
'It's true, the match was not easy at all, said Al Alawi. 'Iranian teams are very fast and they scored against us early on.
'But we managed to come back into the game due to our focus and confidence. Our coach strengthened the attack and we managed to score the goals we needed for the win.
Al Rayyan will now compete in Group B, alongside two-time winners Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia, Emirati side Al Wahda and Uzbekistan's Lokomotiv.
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