Al Rayyan coach Michael Laudrup speaks during a press conference .
Michael Laudrup’s Al Rayyan are hoping to bounce back at the AFC Champions League as they take on Al Hilal in their last group match, targeting a win over the Saudi Arabian side to cement their place in the last 16 stage at their home turf today .
Al Rayyan, who suffered a 5-1 shock defeat to Al Wahda in their previous game, will advance to the knock-out stage if they overcome Al Hilal at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha. The victory will also ensure them top finish in the group D.
Al Hilal, who are currently leading the group, have already confirmed their place in the pre-quarter-finals with two wins and three draws. In the previous game between the two sides, Al Hilal edged out Al Rayyan 2-1 on their home soil in February.
Laudrup admitted that his team was facing a tough challenge against Al Hilal as the Saudis will be looking to seal top spot in the group.
"We will face the best Asian club (today) and it’s going to be a tough challenge. But we played well against them (in the previous game) and showed the team has the potential of beating them,” Laudrup said at a pre-match press conference, hoping for a repeat performance from his ranks like they exhibited in Riyadh.
“We will have a strong chance of winning (against Al Hilal) even if we match the performance of our last game against them,” he said.
The Dane rejected the notion that Al Hilal will not put much effort in the game as they have already advanced in the tournament.
“I do not think the Saudi team will play in a lax way. This team wants to end the group stage in first place given the importance of qualifying at the top of the group,” he said.
He informed team’s seasoned campaigner Sergio Garcia was unlikely to play the crucial clash.
"Garcia’s availability is still uncertain,” he replied to a query.
If Al Rayyan manage a draw against Al Hilal today, they would still have a chance to enter the last 16 stage, should Persepolis fail to defeat Al Wahda in the simultaneous Group D fixture between the pair.
