Asian Champions League qualifying playoff round
Al Jazira v Al Sadd: Tuesday, kickoff 8.15pm, Abu Dhabi Sports HD
ABU DHABI // Henk ten Cate, the Al Jazira coach, is aware his side’s hopes of qualifying for the group stages of the Asian Champions League will be defined by how they cope with the presence of Xavi.
The Spanish midfielder joined Qatari side Al Sadd in the summer from Barcelona, where he won the Primera Liga eight times, and the Uefa Champions League three times.
Though he is now 36, Xavi is still expected to be at the centre of Sadd’s play on Tuesday night in their play-off match at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, and Ten Cate said: “Every follower in football knows Xavi retired at Barcelona at the highest level possible.
“He is still a fantastic player and for someone who has just stepped down from Barcelona, he still possesses all the qualities of the player as we know.”
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The winner will join Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal and Tractorsazi Tabriz of Iran in Group C of the continental championship.
“Only the winner goes through in this format. So we want to make sure we win, no matter what no matter how,” the Dutch coach said.
“The team spirit in the camp is high, particularly after the win over Dibba (5-1) in the Arabian Gulf League. It has given the players a timely confidence booster when we face a strong opponent.
“Al Sadd are a very good team with some very good players under an experienced coach. It’s not going to be easy.”
Jazira are lagging ninth in the league, but Ten Cate insisted their current predicament does not do justice to the quality of his squad.
“This is a one-off game and it’s a special occasion to qualify for the ACL. My team is ready,” he said.
The game will be decided on the night, and if the sides are level at the end of normal time, extra time and then, if necessary, penalties, will be used to decide which team progresses.
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