Al Rayyan players were seen in a training session at Stadion Majmuasi in Tashkent, preparing for their upcoming AFC Champions League Elite match against Pakhtakor. Coach Younes Ali expressed the importance of registering their first victory in order to have a chance to progress in the tournament. After suffering three straight defeats in their opening games, Al Rayyan found themselves at the bottom of the 12-team West Zone.
Ali emphasized the need for hard work to overcome the challenge posed by Pakhtakor, who currently have two points in the tournament. Despite the difficult start, Ali remains confident in the team’s preparations and believes they will show improvement in the upcoming match. Player Abdulaziz Hatem echoed his coach’s sentiments, stating that a victory is crucial for their chances of advancing to the knockout stage.
Although it will be the first meeting between Al Rayyan and Pakhtakor, Al Rayyan can draw confidence from their past successes against teams from Uzbekistan, with three out of four encounters resulting in victories for them. The match is scheduled to kick off at 5pm Doha time, and the team is determined to secure a much-needed win to revitalize their campaign in the AFC Champions League Elite.
