PROBABLE LINEUPS |
AL SADD Ahmed Zakaria, Koni, Kasola, Lee JS, Belhadj Al Bloushi, Khalfan, Rizik, Afif Al Haidos | SUWON BLUEWINGS Jung SR Oh BS, Neretljak, Kwak HJ, Yang SM Lee YR, Lee SH Park HB, Oh JE, Yeom KH Geynrikh |
The Bluewings need goals in this match, but are without Macedonian forward Stevica Ristic after his red card in the first leg. Uzbekistan international Alexander Geynrikh is likely to replace him in attack, although Ha Tae-Goon, who scored six goals in the group stage could be an option too. Meanwhile Oh Beom-Seok returns from suspension and should start at full-back.
DID YOU KNOW? |
- Al Sadd ware the only Qatari club to have ever won the Asian title way back in 1989.
- The Doha-based club have only won four out of 10 ACL matches in 2011, but have had a touch of fortune along the way to reach the final four, after quarter-final opponents Sepahan were handed a 3-0 defeat for fielding an ineligible player.
- Al Sadd only reached the 2011 ACL group phase after progressing through the qualifiers where they defeated Syria's Al Ittihad and India's Dempo.
- Suwon won back-to-back Asian titles in 2001 and 2002 but haven't reached the final since.
- Bluewings were unbeaten in this year's ACL prior to their first-leg 2-0 defeat to Al Sadd.
- The Koreans have played away from home four times in this season's ACL, winning only once after 90 minutes, as they required extra-time to get past Zob Ahan in the quarter-finals.
Prediction
Al Sadd have a handy buffer but are without key forwards so are likely to play a defensive brand of football, which could be hard for Suwon to break down. The Koreans are without striker Stevica Ristic so will need to find a spark from somewhere as they strive to score away from home.
Editor's Prediction
Al Sadd 0-1 Suwon Samsung Bluewings