Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Riyadh: Al Hilal “legends Yasser Al Qahtani and Mohammed Al Shalhoub are options being considered by coach Laurentiu Reghecampf for Saturday’s AFC Champions League final second leg against Australia’s Western Sydney Wanderers as the two-time Asian champions seek to overturn a one-goal deficit at the King Fahd International Stadium.
Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal dominated for long periods of last week’s first leg at Parramatta Stadium, but suffered a second consecutive defeat in the AFC Champions League after substitute Tomi Juric netted for the home side against the run of play just after the hour mark.
But with two-time Asian Club Championship winners Al Hilal needing to record a sixth consecutive home win in the AFC Champions League to keep their chances of a record-equalling third continental title alive, wingerAl Shalhoub and striker Al Qahtani are in contention after Reghecampf’s side lacked a cutting edge last week.
“We have many cards to play and all are legends. One is Mohammed Al Shalhoub and one is Yasser Al Qahtani,” said Romanian coach Reghecampf, who was appointed as Al Hilal coach in May following the Round of 16 success over Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor.
“We conceded one goal in the last game, but we controlled the game and had five chances.”
Al Qahtani missed last week’s first leg defeat due to suspension, while Al Shalhoub is the only player remaining in the current Al Hilal squad from their last continental success in the Asian Club Championship in 2000.
And the pair will offer Reghecampf additional strength in attack after Nassir Al Shamrani, who has scored 10 goals for Al Hilal in the AFC Champions League this season, struggled to make an impact last week.
“I think in Sydney we played well, but we couldn’t win the game,” added Reghecampf, who also confirmed he has a fully-fit squad at his disposal.
“I think the players will have a good attitude and this is what we have prepared for this week. The players will play a good game and we are going to have some goals.”
Al Hilal are unbeaten at home in the AFC Champions League this season and have won their last five games at the King Fahd International Stadium without conceding and scoring 13 goals.
“It is a good thing to play in front of 65,000 spectators,” said Reghecampf.
“I think the spectators are going to be happy.”