Qatar- Al Sadd eye full points against strong Al Nassr Al Rayyan face Persepolis

(MENAFN - The Peninsula) The Peninsula / AFC Riyadh: Al Sadd will be looking to collect full points against a 'strong' Al Nassr side when the familiar opponents meet on the second matchday in Group D of the 2021 AFC Champions League today. The Qatari football giants will be targeting their first win in the Group stage today after being denied full points on Wednesday following a one-all draw against Iran's Foolad Khouzestan where Boualem Khoukhi's last gasp goal saved their blushes. Al Nassr were also denied an opening day win by tournament debutantes Al Wehdat on Wednesday, with the hosts frustrated despite controlling 67 percent of possession. The two teams faced at the same stage last year, with the matches ending 1-1 and 2-2, as both advanced to the Round of 16. That, however, is not the case this year with only the group winners confirmed of going through, with the three best second-placed teams from the five West groups also advancing. Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez yesterday said that he is expecting a strong game. 'I know Al Nassr very well, it is an excellent team and they compete strongly. Yes, the coach has changed, but it is a strong team in a difficult group. Our goal of the match is to win and collect three points in order to qualify from the group, Xavi said during a pre-match press conference. While the Barca legend was not pleased with Wednesday's result, he welcomed Al Sadd's willingness to fight till the end and will expect a more potent outing from Baghdad Bounedjah and his team-mates at the King Saud University Stadium. 'We expect a really tough game against one of the best clubs in my opinion, said Xavi. 'We played against them twice so we know. The target doesn't change, we are still aiming for all three points. Xavi wasn't worried about Mano Menezes taking charge of Al Nassr, and said: 'Not expecting much changes to the way they play. They are more or less the same team. 'We trust in our own process and players, and we have to keep going, Xavi said. Responding to a question about COVID-19 cases reported among members of the Al Nassr squad, Xavi said: 'This is the first time I'm hearing that some Al Nassr players have been infected with the coronavirus, which is very sad, and I hope that everyone recovers. He added: 'This will not change anything on the pitch. We are preparing well for the match in training and we will go into the game with full force to get the win. It will not be easy for the two teams. 'We will play in our usual way, the strategy of the team will be the same. We will enter the match in order to win and get three points for our campaign in this difficult group, Xavi said. The Mano Menezescoached Al Nassr will not be lacking in confidence when they play the Qatar Stars League champions. 'The first round of matches ended with draws, so naturally all the teams will be more competitive to get the win now, said Menezes. 'We coaches know the expectations of fans are high, and we will need some time to fill in the gaps. 'There are three things that we will need to focus on. Firstly, we need to close the distance between our defence and attack. Secondly, we need to be able to regain possession quickly, and lastly, to be more organised in our attacks. Elsewhere, in Goa, India, Laurent Blanc-coached Al Rayyan will face a tough opponent, Persepolis FC of Iran who will be looking to extend their winning start in Group E. The 2019 AFC Champions League runners-up defeated UAE's Al Wahda 1-0 on Wednesday, while the other Matchday One tie saw Al Rayyan held to a goalless draw by India's FC Goa. Judging by their current form, Yahya Golmohammadi's charges have certainly put behind last season's AFC Champions League final defeat against Korea Republic's Ulsan Hyundai FC. Persepolis have not lost in their last five matches in all competitions, with their only blemish being a 1-1 draw against Shahr Khodro in the Iran Pro League on April 3. Al Rayyan will be aiming for an upset at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium after failing to secure three points against FC Goa. Their Matchday One stalemate means Laurent Blanc's men have not tasted victory in their last five encounters in all competitions after three losses and one draw in the Qatar Stars League. However, with only the group winners assured of advancing, Al Rayyan will definitely take the game to Goa. 'The result from the last match was not good for Al Rayyan because I think we deserved to win and scoring the first goal is very important, said Blanc. 'Against Persepolis, we need to apply the same intensity and that is to keep the ball high up and score at least one or two goals. 'The pressure is on Persepolis and not with Al Rayyan. Persepolis and Al Wahda are the favourites of the group. Last year they (Persepolis) reached the final of the AFC Champions League and a couple of times reached the semi-finals. The teams met in the group stage of the 2017 edition with Al Rayyan having the edge with one win and a draw.MENAFN17042021000063011010ID1101932530