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Team’s target is to win in UAE, says coach Belmadi
Ikoli Victor
Doha
Coach Djamel Belmadi has underlined that Qatar Stars League (QSL) champions Lekhwiya's mission in the UAE is to beat Al Jazira and collect maximum points in Tuesday's AFC Champions League in Abu Dhabi.
Lekhwiya head into the Group B encounter with bottom-placed side Al Jazira at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium knowing that a win would see the Qatari team progress to the last 16 with a game to spare.
The QSL leaders have remained unbeaten on the continent and sit a point ahead of second-placed Esteghlal Khouzestan, while UAE Football League table-toppers Al Jazira have been unable to replicate their domestic form and will be eliminated should they fail to win.
Lekhwiya, who welcome Mohammed Tresor back from suspension, suffered a 3-2 reversal at the hands of El Jaish on Saturday, while Al Jazira need just two points to wrap up their domestic title after defeating Al Shabab 3-0 in their previous league match.
Speaking during the pre-match conference on Monday, according to the club's website, the Algerian tactician Belmadi said,"We will play to win against a team that will also be playing to win.
"There are three teams having a chance for qualification and they are Lekhwiya, Esteghlal Khuzestan (IRN) and Al Fateh (KSA), so we will try to win the points to guarantee the qualification before the final match in the group against Al Fateh," he added.
Responding to the question on the loss of the team against El Jaish in Qatar Cup semi-finals, Belmadi said,"Every championship is different from the other, and I always try to spread the spirit of winning in the players even during training..
"Our focus now is on the AFC champions League and we are in the top place of our group and we will try to maintain this position."
Belmadi dismissed talk that they are guaranteed qualification to the round of 16,"We did not qualify yet we still have two matches, and it is too early to talk about the qualification and our focus now is on achieving victory against Al Jazira on Tuesday."
Belmadi said despite a tight schedule (they played three days ago in the Qatar Cup), he expects his boys to deliver and that he might give fringe players a chance in the match.
"We played three days ago against El Jaish in Qatar Cup. However, given the circumstances it is proper to present a good game against Al Jazira. I may give chance to some players to participate in the game," said Belmadi.
Meanwhile, Lekhwiya defender Khaled Radwan said the team's objective is to win.
"Lekhwiya is ready for the match and we wish to achieve victory and win the full points to guarantee qualification to the next round of the Champions League."
Standings AFC Champions League
Group B
Club P W D L F A Pts
lekhwiya 4 2 2 0 8 4 8
esteghlal 4 2 1 1 4 3 7
al fateh 4 1 2 1 5 4 5
Al Jazira 4 0 1 3 1 7 1
Ikoli Victor
Doha
Coach Djamel Belmadi has underlined that Qatar Stars League (QSL) champions Lekhwiya's mission in the UAE is to beat Al Jazira and collect maximum points in Tuesday's AFC Champions League in Abu Dhabi.
Lekhwiya head into the Group B encounter with bottom-placed side Al Jazira at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium knowing that a win would see the Qatari team progress to the last 16 with a game to spare.
The QSL leaders have remained unbeaten on the continent and sit a point ahead of second-placed Esteghlal Khouzestan, while UAE Football League table-toppers Al Jazira have been unable to replicate their domestic form and will be eliminated should they fail to win.
Lekhwiya, who welcome Mohammed Tresor back from suspension, suffered a 3-2 reversal at the hands of El Jaish on Saturday, while Al Jazira need just two points to wrap up their domestic title after defeating Al Shabab 3-0 in their previous league match.
Speaking during the pre-match conference on Monday, according to the club's website, the Algerian tactician Belmadi said,"We will play to win against a team that will also be playing to win.
"There are three teams having a chance for qualification and they are Lekhwiya, Esteghlal Khuzestan (IRN) and Al Fateh (KSA), so we will try to win the points to guarantee the qualification before the final match in the group against Al Fateh," he added.
Responding to the question on the loss of the team against El Jaish in Qatar Cup semi-finals, Belmadi said,"Every championship is different from the other, and I always try to spread the spirit of winning in the players even during training..
"Our focus now is on the AFC champions League and we are in the top place of our group and we will try to maintain this position."
Belmadi dismissed talk that they are guaranteed qualification to the round of 16,"We did not qualify yet we still have two matches, and it is too early to talk about the qualification and our focus now is on achieving victory against Al Jazira on Tuesday."
Belmadi said despite a tight schedule (they played three days ago in the Qatar Cup), he expects his boys to deliver and that he might give fringe players a chance in the match.
"We played three days ago against El Jaish in Qatar Cup. However, given the circumstances it is proper to present a good game against Al Jazira. I may give chance to some players to participate in the game," said Belmadi.
Meanwhile, Lekhwiya defender Khaled Radwan said the team's objective is to win.
"Lekhwiya is ready for the match and we wish to achieve victory and win the full points to guarantee qualification to the next round of the Champions League."
Standings AFC Champions League
Group B
Club P W D L F A Pts
lekhwiya 4 2 2 0 8 4 8
esteghlal 4 2 1 1 4 3 7
al fateh 4 1 2 1 5 4 5
Al Jazira 4 0 1 3 1 7 1
