(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
By Fawad Hussain I The Peninsula
Doha; Al Duhail are aiming to leave a mark on their FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020 debut with a strong performance in the prestigious tournament, the club's executive director Adnan Al Ali said yesterday.
As representatives of the host nation, ‘The Red Knights' secured a berth in the next month's top event courtesy of their QNB Stars League (QSL) title win.
Al Duhail, coached by Frenchman Sabri Lamouchi, are pitted against African champions Al Ahly in the second round match following the draw in Zurich on January 19. They were to meet Auckland City in the first round but the side representing the Oceania Football Confederation withdrew from the competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine measures required by New Zealand's authorities.
Al Ali said the team's tie against the Egyptian side to be played at the Education City Stadium will be a tough challenge and players must prepare well for it. 'The match against Al Ahly will be difficult and we will be ready for it, Al Duhail's chief executive said yesterday.
Al Duhail are currently busy in a hectic QSL season, in which they currently stand second behind Al Sadd. But for the FIFA Club World Cup, Lamouchi-coached side has planned special preparations.
Soon after their Amir Cup match against Qatar's Al Ahli on February 1, Al Duhail will undergo a closed training camp to prepare for the FIFA Club World Cup.
'Our preparations for the FIFA Club World Cup will be different from our preparations for the local championships. After the withdrawal of the New Zealand team and reaching the second stage of the championship, we decided to enter the team in a closed camp to give best possible preparations to the team, said Al Ali.
The Red Knights have boosted their squad by roping in Kenyan striker Michael Olunga and Iranian midfielder Ali Karimi recently.
They also have quality players like Qatar stars Almoez Ali, Mohammed Muntari, Mohammed Moosa besides Belgian player Edmilson Junior.
'We have included a number of players to strengthen the ranks (this season) and among them are Ali Karimi and Michael Olunga , and they are an important addition to the team, said Al Ali before adding that the team will do its best to get good results.
'We are the host team of this event and we are looking forward to give a strong show. If we win against Al Ahly, we will meet European champions Bayern Munich. We depend on the abilities of our players and their technical abilities to appear in the way that expresses the Qatari football, ' he said.
'Al Sadd represented Qatar in the last edition and it is going to be a last of the two FIFA Club World Cups planned in Qatar before the World Cup 2022, so we are looking forward to a good performance, said Al Ali.
Reigning Asian champions Ulsan Hyundai FC and CONCACAF Champions League winners Tigres UANL will kick start the tournament with the opening match on February 4 at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.
The final of the tournament will be played on February 11 at the Education City Stadium.
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