Qatar’s Al Duhail are up against Saudi Arabi’s Al Taawoun in their opening match in Group D of the 2022 AFC Champions League on Thursday, 7th April. The match will kick off at 23:15 at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Al Qassim.

Al Duhail will be eager to make a good impression in the latest edition of Asia’s premier club tournament. The Red Knights also have Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor and Iran’s Sepahan for company in Group D.

Al Duhail’s previous best results in the AFC Champions League were the quarterfinal appearances in 2013, 2015 and 2018.

The top Qatari club will embark on their campaign under new coach Hernan Crespo. The Argentinian had recently replaced Portuguese Luis Castro and the former’s first task will be to see Al Duhail through to the knockout stage of AFC Champions League.

Al Duhail have the likes of Kenyan spearhead Michael Olunga, the top scorer in this season’s QNB Stars League, South Korean Nam Tae-Hee, Tunisian Ferjani Sassi, Brazilian Edmilson Junior and Belgian Toby Alderweireld, besides players of high calibre such as Almoez Ali, Bassam Al Rawi, Sultan Al Breik, Mohammed Moosa, Ali Afif, Abdullah Al Ahraq, Assim Madibo and Abdulrahman Mohammed.

On the other hand, Al Taawoun, who made it to the tournament proper by defeating Syria’s Al Jaish 5-4 on penalties in the Play-Off, will also look to start off in style, making it difficult for Al Duhail.

Al Taawoun boast of players such as Cameroonian forward Leandre Tawamba, who contributed to his country’s 2022 Qatar World Cup Finals qualification.