DUBAI // Habib Fardan says Al Ahli head into the second leg of the Asian Champions League final against Guangzhou Evergrande later this month with the belief they have enough quality to lift the continental crown.
The Dubai side, who have until this year never contested the competition’s knockout stages, kept their Chinese opponents to a goalless draw in the first leg at Rashid Stadium on Saturday night in a match of few clear-cut chances.
Ahli now travel to China for the return leg on November 21 knowing should they score at the Tian He Stadium, they will drastically increase their chances of clinching the trophy. The away-goals rule would mean Guangzhou would have to score at least twice to deny their UAE rivals.
Match report: Asian Champions League final finely poised after scoreless draw at Al Ahli
Live blog: Al Ahli and Guangzhou settle for first leg stalemate – ACL final as it happened
Fardan said Ahli go to the Chinese champions in positive mood, especially since they have managed to score in each of their away matches in the latter stages thus far.
“I am feeling confident about our chances in the second leg and of winning the Asian Champions League,” the UAE international said. “It would have been better if we had scored, but we are very confident of going to Guangzhou and scoring an away goal. It was a close game and it was a great challenge for us.”
Fardan said he particularly enjoyed the direct confrontation with Paulinho, a member of Brazil’s 2014 World Cup squad. “I enjoyed the challenge of playing against him and Guangzhou, but we also have lots of excellent players. We showed that tonight,” he said.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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