Saudi number one back for Shabab

AFC – RIYADH, Al Shabab coach Edgar Perreira welcomes back Saudi Arabia goalkeeper of the season Waleed Abdullah for their crucial AFC Champions League Round of 16 match with Esteghlal on Tuesday.

The shot-stopper was suspended for the five-time Saudi champions’ final group match against Pakhtakor two weeks ago.

Al Shabab had fallen behind in that game but battled back with two second-half goals to win 2-1 and finish top of Group C, securing home advantage for the knockout stage.

And Perreria is confident the return of Abdullah is a big boost to his side’s chances of reaching the quarterfinals of the tournament.

“We are ready for the match,” said the Brazilian.

“Esteghlal are a strong team and they have very distinctive players and because of that I think the match will be tough.

“But our goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah, who has recently been selected as the best goalkeeper of the season in Saudi Arabia, is back for tomorrow’s match.  

“The ACL is a strong competition where the biggest teams in the continent are taking part. The match is so important for us since we will be playing in front of our fans on our ground.”

Although Perreira welcomes back Abdullah he will be without defender Naif Al Qadi for the match.

“The absence of Naif Al Qadi will affect the performance of my team as he is an important player with great experience in such encounters,” added Perreira.

“Despite this, we have an alternative ready.”

Abdullah, meanwhile, is determined to prove his credentials as the best keeper in Saudi Arabia.

“Having been selected as the best goalkeeper in the Kingdom it will be an incentive for me to give more and more to my team,” he said.

“Although Esteghlal are a very good team that we highly respect, my teammates and I are determined to win the match and progress to the next stage of the competition.”

Esteghlal, meanwhile, are looking to get back to winning ways after losing their first game of the tournament with a 2-1 defeat to Al Ahli in their final group game two weeks.

And coach Samad Marfavi is expecting a closely fought affair with chances at either end plentiful throughout.

“The match is of great importance to me and to my players,” he said.

“The encounter will certainly be tough for both sides. The two teams are strong and fast. They tend to play openly and they had good results and performances during the group stage.”