Coach Hernan Crespo confirmed that Al Duhail confrontation versus Al Rayyan in the AFC Champions League 2022 Round of 16 will not be easy, and the coach said in the pre-match press conference that was held at 11 am this morning in the press conference hall at Al Thumama Stadium: We are proud because we are among the top 16 clubs in Asia and we have reached this stage of most prominent club competition in the Asian continent.

Crespo said: We want to play with the same success that we have achieved in the recent period. I have huge faith and confidence in the players and in their physical and technical abilities, and we know that the match will not be easy. We know Al Rayyan and they know us, and I hope it will be an enjoyable match for everyone.

Crespo added: We respect Al Rayyan a lot, but we focus on ourselves, on our strength aspects, and on defending the team’s identity, which is ball possession and scoring goals, and our work tomorrow will be to focus on the defense line.

The coach concluded: I do not look at the missing players of the team, but rather I care a lot about the players who are ready and who are with me. If one or two players are missing, I can control and choose the squad, which is difficult for me because all Al Duhail players deserve to be on the field, and in tomorrow’s match it will not be easy for me to choose the squad.