Qatar- Al Sadd take on Foolad with eye on top spot in Group D

(MENAFN - The Peninsula) AFC | The Peninsula Qatari champions Al Sadd will look to settle down for nothing other than a victory when they take on Foolad Khouzestan FC in a vital Matchday Five clash today in Riyadh. A loss is not an option for both teams today as they race to win top spot in Group D of the 2021 AFC Champions League, but the Qatari giants will do their best to continue their winning run. The Xavi Hernandez-led Wolves clinched back-to-back wins against Jordan's Al Wehdat to jump up to second place in Group D with seven points, one adrift of leaders Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia. Iran's Foolad are third on five points and need to win their final two matches to stand a chance of advancing. Al Sadd have done well to remain in contention after a slow start which saw them draw with Foolad and suffer a humbling 3-1 defeat to Al Nassr. The 15-time Qatar Stars League champions defeated Al Wehdat 3-1 and 2-0 to pull themselves back into contention but face a tough test against Foolad. Former champions Al Sadd made it past the group stage in their past six appearances in the tournament, and Xavi will demand their best against Foolad, with Al Nassr to come on the final Matchday. 'It will be another tough game again with Foolad, because we've already faced them, the Barca legend said yesterday.  'We suffered in the first match of the competition. They're a good team, well organised and aggressive in defence. They know how to take advantage of set-pieces, so it will be difficult. 'We are ready to compete, and from my point of view, this will be like the final, because if we have the three points, we will be really close to qualifying,"Xavi said. 'We are excited and motivated to win against this team. Everything depends on us, it's in our hands. We have to play with spirit, ambition and passion, especially against Iranian teams. We need to keep focused with a good mentality to get the three points tomorrow. Foolad's coach Jesus Javier Noble said: 'Tomorrow's match is very important, and it will be decisive for both teams and will be like the final for us, 'Al Sadd are a strong team, and they have many good international players with a lot of international experience in big competitions. They have a very good coach, but we will not give up and will make things difficult for them," Noble said on the eve of the match.MENAFN26042021000063011010ID1101983265