AFC Champions League: Al Sadd enter quarterfinals

Bengaluru/Doha, August 14: Xavi Hernandez-coached Al Sadd SC stormed into the quarterfinals of the the 2019 AFC Champions League with a 3-1 win over Al Duhail SC, securing a 4-2 aggregate victory at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.

Only one of the two Qatari sides could make it back-to-back AFC Champions League quarter-finals, and Sadd had the relative advantage going into the fixture, having scored an away goal in the 1-1 draw at Al Duhail's ground last week.

For a place in the semifinals, Sadd, the 2011 AFC Champions League winners will take on Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr, who battled their way after a 3-2 win over the UAE's Al Wahda for a a 4-3 aggregate victory.

Al Nassr will host the first leg on August 26 with the second leg three weeks later.

FT: Al Sadd 🇶🇦 3 - 1 Al Duhail 🇶🇦

The 2011 ACL winners QUALIFY to the quarter-finals!!! For Duhail SC, their campaign ends tonight.#ACL2019 #SDDvADH pic.twitter.com/TMiqU2ZH3d

— AFC Champions League (@TheAFCCL) August 13, 2019

Barcelona legend Xavi, who took charge of Al Sadd as head coach after having served them as a player for four seasons, said his team had shown consistency over both legs.

"Our players gave an unbelievable performance over the two games. At Al Wakrah in the first leg, we were the better side but today, we were only good in the first half."

🎙 Xavi: Our players were outstanding, they gave an unbelievable performance

🔗 Read: https://t.co/fBIzvTudpo#AlSadd #ACL2019 #SDDvADHpic.twitter.com/wlLyzUzKLP

— AlSadd S.C | نادي السد (@AlsaddSC) August 13, 2019

As for the quarterfinal clash with Al Nassr, Xavi said, "It'll be a tough game against Al Nassr, we saw their game yesterday - they have excellent players but our aim will be to reach the semis.

"But now, the team is celebrating and we will then think about the Sheikh Jassim Cup, after that, the league and then, the AFC Champions League."

(With AFC Media inputs)