PROBABLE LINEUPS |
SUWON BLUEWINGS Jung SR Oh BS, Neretljak, Gwak HJ, Yang SM Lee YR, Lee SH Park HB, Oh JE, Yeom KH Ristic | AL SADD Ahmed Belhadj, Majid, Zakaria, Lee JS Al Hamad, Rizik, Al Bloushi, Khalfan, Keita Niang |
Al Sadd coach Jorge Fossati knows his side are fortunate to have reached the semi-finals after Sepahan's indiscretion in the quarters, however they'll be keen to make the most of their stroke of luck. Internationals Nadr Belhadj, Kader Keita and Mamadou Niang offer Al Sadd real threat and the team should be full of confidence having moved into top spot in Qatar's Stars League over the weekend after a 3-1 win over Al Khor.
DID YOU KNOW? |
- Suwon Bluewings were Asian champions in 2001 and 2002, while they were runners-up in the Asian Cup Winners Cup in 1998.
- Current manager Yoon Sung-Hyo was part of the Bluewings' coaching staff when they were back-to-back Asian champions in the early part of last decade.
- In 2009 Suwon were knocked out of the ACL in the Round of 16, while in 2010 they bowed out in the quarter-finals. Could 2011 follow the pattern?
- Suwon are four-time K-League champions and three-time FA Cup winners, but lost Saturday's final 1-0 to Seongnam Ilhwa.
- Al Sadd were Asian champions all the way back in 1989 and are the only Qatari club to have ever done so.
- Al Zaeem, or 'The Boss', are a dominant force domestically, claiming 12 league titles and 13 Emir of Qatar Cups and five Crown Prince Cups.
Prediction
Editor's Prediction
Suwon Samsung Bluewings 2-0 Al Sadd