Al Suwaiq eye AFC group stage

MUSCAT, JAn 28 - Al Suwaiq will look to secure their place in the AFC group stages as they host Hilal Al Quds of Palestine on Monday in the second leg of the West Zone play-off. Al Suwaiq came back from Palestine last week with an important 1-0 win, which give them an advantage to qualify to the 2018 AFC cup group. The game kicks off at Seeb Stadium at 19:00. A win or a draw will give the Omani side the ticket to accompany Dhofar to the group stage of the competition. Jasim al Dhohani, Al Suwaiq goalkeepers’ coach, confirmed that his team is ready for the game. “We finished one round in Palestine and we are prepared for all the possibilities for the second round. We will play with the same squad as we did in the previous game,’’ said Al Dhohani in the pre-match press conference ahead of the encounter. “We are planning to score in the early minutes so that we avoid any difficult scenarios,” he said. Al Suwaiq strikers had missed a host of chances in the first leg. “We missed plenty of opportunities in the previous match, because we had no clue about our opponents, but after understanding their style of play it will be easier for us this time.” Answering a query about their priorities this season, Jasim al Dhohani told Oman Daily Observer: “We are looking for an international title. This is our priority for this season because it won’t impact only on us, but as well it will enhance the opportunities for our players and overall Omani football.” In contrast, Hilal Al Quds assistant manager, Amjad Taha said: “Al Suwaiq deserved the win in our home due to the high level of both physical and mental presence they showed but we can be much better tomorrow.’’ “We missed our Olympic team players which arrived on the same day of our game, so they were physically drained. “Tomorrow, all players are here so we hope to perform a better game. Even if they are not physically ready yet, but we will do our best to win,” Amjad Taha added. Meanwhile, Al Suwaiq head coach Romanian Ilie Balaci, who missed the first game due to health conditions, is likely to take charge of the team. Hilal Al Quds manager Khadher Obaid didn’t come with his team to Oman as his full-time organisation didn’t give him a permission to take a three-day leave. Al Suwaiq to compete for 2018 AFC Cup Al Suwaiq board member, Mohammed al Kiyumi said: “We have the confidence to do something great in the AFC cup, especially that six of our players are important players in the national team.” “We as a management are eyeing to win and qualify tomorrow against Hilal Al Quds and then we will think how can we really compete in the competition. “For now I can say that we will fight to pass the group stage but this is not our last target,’’ Al Kiyumi added. Al Suwaiq line-up probably: 4-3-3 Goalkeeper: Fayez al Rushaidi (GK), Mahmood al Mushifri, Abduladheem al Ajmi, Ahmed al Khamisi, Hasan al Saadi, Abdullah Ding, Yaseen al Shiyadi, Niang, Ali al Busaidi, Abdulaziz al Muqbali and Khalid al Hajri. Jaber al Ajmi