LONDON: Arabian football fans have had to watch over the years as the Asian Champions League trophy has gone to East Asia. Since 2005, just once has West Asia been able to celebrate a title and that was Al-Sadd in 2011. In the 2018 edition, 10 Arabian teams are among the 32 setting along the road to glory. Each placed into groups of four, only the top two progress to the next stage. Arab News takes a look at the runners and riders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar to evaluate how far they may be able to go in the tournament.
SAUDI ARABIA
AL-AHLI
Made the final in 2012 but have been inconsistent in Asia ever since. This is a team with talent but perhaps not quite the consistency and ruthlessness to take the title. Much will depend on the excellent Omar Al-Soma. The Syrian striker has sparkled in recent years and the recent addition of Australian international Mark Milligan will add intelligence and discipline in the middle. Should get out of the group but not past the last eight.
AL-HILAL
No team is more desperate than Al-Hilal to win in Asia, with two defeats in the four finals only adding to the desire to see the trophy in Riyadh come November. The squad and talent is there, though there are injuries to key players that will make a tough group that bit trickier. Getting out could be tight but the team has the skill and experience to do so. Once in the knockout stage then the Crescent will be set for another run and they can go all the way.
UAE
AL-JAZIRA
Dreadful in the 2017 Champions League but then gave Real Madrid a real test in the FIFA Club World Cup, so you never quite know with the Abu Dhabi team. Take sharpshooter Ali Mabkhout out of the equation and there isn’t much for rivals to worry about, however. Another group stage exit.
AL-WAHDA
The Abu Dhabi outfit has not been much of a continental force since the previous decade, yet the there is plenty of experience and talent in the current team. Sebastian Tagliabue gets the goals and Ismail Matar pulls the strings. Struggled last year and while there should be an improvement this time, it still won’t be quite enough.
AL-WASL
The team from Dubai are better known in Asia for having Diego Maradona as an ex-coach rather than anything that happened on the pitch. A little too reliant on Fabio Lima for goals, Al-Wasl will be happy just to get to the knockout stage but are unlikely to do so.
AL-AIN
The 2016 finalists and winners back in 2003 are the best known UAE contender around the continent. They also have the talent to go all the way with a strong spine of domestic stars such as Omar Abdulrahman and Ahmed Khalil coupled with prolific Swedish striker Marcus Berg. Have the experience, talent and desire to go all the way. Certainly, anything less than a quarterfinal place will be disappointing.
QATAR
AL-DUHAIL
A result of the merging of El-Jaish and Qatari powerhouse Lekhwiya. The team has plenty of firepower with goals coming from all over the pitch, though Moroccan sharpshooter Youssef El-Arabi is especially dangerous. If he fires, Al-Duhail will be looking to match Lekhwiya’s quarterfinal appearance in 2016 and maybe more.
AL-SADD
The only West Asian team to lift the continental title since 2005, the Doha giants have Xavi in the ranks and enough talent and experience to get through to the knockout stage. Despite the presence of the Spanish legend, the team’s strength is a defensive solidity. Can get out of the group but unlikely to repeat the title-winning 2011 achievement.
AL-RAYYAN
Not quite the powerhouse of days of yore, Al-Rayyan are still a team not to be trifled with. Another Qatari side with a free-scoring Moroccan marksman in the shape of Abderrazak Hamdallah. Unfortunately for the team, they are in a tough group with Al-Ain, Al-Hilal and Esteghlal of Iran, and a group stage exit beckons.
AL-GHARAFA
The addition of Dutch star Wesley Sneijder adds to the team’s offensive power but, perhaps like Arsenal signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, it doesn’t do much to solve the defensive issues that still exist. Capable of getting out of the group but not much more than that.
