A month on from the Asian Cup, the rise of Qatar looks set to spill over into club football ahead of the new season of the Asian Champions League. Qatar in the main came from the periphery, formed around a squad that was almost exclusively based at home, thrusting previously unheralded youngsters Almoez Ali, Akram Afif, Bassam Al-Rawi and Assim Madibo into the limelight. Now, ready to prove they’re more than a mere flash in the pan upon the resumption of the Asian club calendar, can they wrestle back the ACL title to the West for the first time in 8 years?
The pinnacle may have been reached internationally, but the progress at club level is already in full flow; Qatari champions Al-Duhail and current league leaders Al-Sadd made it to the last eight of the Champions League last term, only to falter after the World Cup break against eventual finalists Persepolis (in the quarter & semi-final stages respectively). That added bit of experience required to take the initiative in these type of matches, is slowly seeping its way into the two pillars of Qatari club football, and off the back of their continental crown internationally, can attest to having the best home-grown players in the whole competition.
The foreign contingent is hardly lacking either; Al-Sadd’s Algerian striker Baghdad Bounedjah has amassed an incredible 34 goals across 18 matches this season, along the way pipping Lionel Messi to the ultimate world golden boot across the calendar year for 2018. He’s backed up by the highly influential Spanish duo of Xavi and Gabi from centre midfield and will be able to call upon Korean international Nam Tae-hee if they indeed replicate their exploits from last term and make it to the last eight.
Al-Duhail similarly boast a strong overseas quota; adding Japanese playmaker Shoya Nakajima and Belgian wide-man Edmilson Junior to an already terrifying attack line led by Moroccan Youssef El-Arabi. They’ve also sought to reaffirm defensively, bringing in Medhi Benatia from Juventus; a real coup for Asian football in general given his pedigree and his age, which sets up a tantalising partnership with the highly rated Al-Rawi in central defence.
The ingredients are set for a sustained return to form for the West. However, the regular argument against such is the highly detrimental mid-campaign break, which has the possibility of disrupting harmony and squad membership across a number of teams. This year in particular promises extensive upheaval, with the young Qatari contingent; headlined by Almoez Ali and Akram Afif, looking likely to head to Europe over the domestic off-season. Then there is always the case of managerial change; given neither Qatari club will envisage an close season where they settle for a domestic runners-up spot gladly. Where this leaves West Asian clubs in general is equally uncertain, and far from an ideal standpoint for any side with serious ACL title ambitions.
A side that has such focussed priorities, Al-Hilal from the Saudi Pro League, can attest to the schedule's drawbacks, given their tendencies for wholesale changes at the drop of a hat. The club synonymous with the Champions League of late, boast the strongest overseas contingent of the whole tournament; not just in their four nominated ACL players, but in their strength in depth available to them domestically. The signing of Italian Sebastian Giovinco in the January transfer window, more than makes up for Omar Abdulrahman’s continued injury layoff, in behind prolific French striker Bafetimi Gomis and Brazilian playmaker Carlos Eduardo, the Riyadh club’s attack makes for an exciting balance that promises an abundance of goals.
Further back, the inclusion of Socceroo Milos Degenek as their fourth overseas player, squeezes out the likes of Jonathan Soriano, Andre Carrillo, Ali Al-Habsi and Alberto Botia. An embarrassment of underutilised riches some may say, but with a domestic title bout to juggle alongside the Champions League group stages, the flexibility at hand for new coach Zoran Mamic looks impressive in its possibilities.
The criticism against them surrounds their mentality and tendency for change. Aside from odd moments, Saudi football regularly frustrates, the playing staff on paper may look to be tremendous options; Salman Al-Faraj, Salem Al-Dawsari and new signing Hatem Bahebri are all seasoned internationals, but have regularly looked off colour , especially in January’s frustrated Asian Cup campaign where Saudi Arabia generally struggled. In addition, the swift hand of change above them, most notably and inexplicably demonstrated in the sacking coach Jorge Jesus last month, can only threaten to destabilise the club’s pursuits further.
With that, the solid proposition, of experience and relative organisation is an outside bet for success. With this look no further than last year’s finalists Persepolis. Rarely flashy, with a diminishing amount of star power, they offer a hearty alternative to the big spending nature of many of their West Asian neighbours. While they still can call upon Iranian international goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand and Iraqi midfield maestro Bashar Resan, the recruitment of Mehdi Torabi may give them that extra spark to force home wins in those early group stage encounters.
From the elite to the chasing pack, on paper at least a gulf in quality is starting to grow. No league has been left behind more in this regard, than the Arabian Gulf League, which looks to be entering this continental season at their lowest ebb. Al Ain, their primary force for many years look a pale imitation of their past, Al-Ahli have plummeted since their intercity merger, whilst Al-Jazira’s continued absence from the top table of Asian football remains a frustration to many, given their significant talent base to call upon.
Al-Wahda and Al-Wasl make up the Emirati representatives, with neither having experienced great form of late, the latter in particular will be considerably more focussed on the prospect of relegation than competing in Asia. After their whirlwind start to last season, the wheels are well and truly starting to fall off. They’ll hope the individual brilliance of their Brazilian catalyst Lima will be enough to propel some energy, both at home and on the continent.
Another to be feeling the strain, Saudi giants Al-Ittihad are in even worse trouble, currently in the automatic relegation places, with nine games to go and onto their fourth coach in 12 months. Into the breach of the underwhelming tenure of Slavan Bilic comes former Itti coach José Luis Sierra, returning after leaving the club only last summer, with fans of the Tigers praying that they can return to the form of last season, spearheaded by the likes of Fahad Al-Muwallad, Romarinho and new signing Abdulaziz Al-Bishi.
Outside the usual gameplayers, the re-emergence of Uzbek football (this sounds familiar…) is promised once again on the upcoming Asian Champions League campaign. While champions Lokomotiv Tashkent look slightly weaker for their off-season transfer business, fellow capital giants Pakhtakor are starting to make waves, thanks to a number of interesting domestic signings and an early signal of intent through the ACL playoffs.
Purchases of key cogs from Uzbekistan’s strong youth set up that succeeded continentally of late; defensive anchor Odiljon Hamrobekov, left back Akramjon Komilov and the returning Dostonbek Khamdamov from Russia, Pakhtakor will look to bring through some of the same inventiveness and speed, impressively demonstrated at the Asian Cup through to the club environment. Supplementing the arrival of an extensive youth stock, leading Uzbek scorer over the last two seasons Marat Bikmaev returns, after leaving Pakhtakor back in 2004, to add a focal point at the sharp end of the attack.
The lowest expectations of any group stage side might be found at Al-Zawra’a, who thanks to IPL colleagues Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, who dominated the AFC Cup over the last few years, have sealed Iraqi football an automatic birth into the round robin stage of the tournament for the first time. While little is expected of them, the fact they get to play in their own country (ironically not the case for much of their group given the ongoing political tensions) and can call upon a couple of notable gems in the making (headlined by young midfielder Safaa Hadi), they’ll be up to cause some real upsets early on.
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