Al Duhail will open their 2023-2024 AFC Champions League Group E campaign against Tajikistan’s Istiklol. The kick-off is at 7pm at the Central Republican Stadium in capital Dushanbe on Tuesday, September 19, 2023.

This is the 12th participation of Al Duhail, who have not missed any edition since their first appearance in the tournament in the 2012-2013 season, the most notable being in 2018 when they recorded nine victories in a row.

Iran’s Persepolis and Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr are the other teams in Group E.

Al Duhail are looking forward to a strong start in the tournament by winning their opener before hosting Persepolis in the second round on October 2 at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium. The Red Knights will look to capitalize on that in their bid to go far in the continent’s premier club tournament.

In the last edition, Al Duhail had reached the semifinals and will be keen to compete for the title this time.

The team prepared well under Argentinian coach Hernan Crespo before travelling to Tajikistan, where they are scheduled to train on the eve of the match.

Al Duhail have many stars in their ranks, most notably new arrival Philippe Coutinho, ace Kenyan scorer Michael Olunga, Almoez Ali, Ismail Mohammed, Sultan Al Breik and Assim Madibo.