ACL: Al Duhail seek early lift

Qatar's Al Duhail will be looking for a flying start in the group stage of the AFC Champions League when they take on the current Iraqi League winners Al Shorta at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah today.

With only the group winners assured of advancing into the Round of 16, the Sabri Lamouchi-led Qatar football heavyweights will be targeting full points in the opening Group C clash. In a pool that also includes regional giants Esteghlal FC of Iran and Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli, Al Duhail will have to provide their best efforts to book a berth in the next stage and their French tactician said that it is their primary target. “Our first goal is to advance from the group stage,” Lamouchi said during a pre-match press conference yesterday.