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Preview – SF: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) v Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)
AIPS ASIA News:
With both sides highly familiar with each other, Al Hilal head coach Jesus and his Al Ahli counterpart Jaissle will resist tinkering too much in the showdown between two Saudi Arabian clubs.
This season’s Saudi Pro League meetings between the two ended with one win each, adding more spice to what will surely be a blockbuster showdown at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. 
“It is a very important match between two big teams,” said Jesus. “We know each other very well but we are preparing for this match like any other.
“I’m sure the match will be at a very high level and if we can put the right strategy and get the maximum performance, we can win.
“We will not change anything. We have been here for two years now and we have our own ideas and style. Some small details can be modified but generally, we will approach the game with our idea.”
Jesus will need to, however, decide on the right-back position with Joao Cancelo injured during the 7-0 quarter-final win against Korea Republic’s Gwangju FC. Yasir Al Shahrani came on as his replacement and the experienced 32-year-old defender could be called upon once again as Jesus confirmed Cancelo’s medium term absence.
“The only negative part of an excellent game was Joao Cancelo’s injury. He’s one of the players that is very important to the team due to his attacking qualities.
“The medical team is saying he will be out for 4-6 weeks so he will be unavailable for now but he should be ready for the Club World Cup.”
Jaissle, whose side defeated Thailand’s Buriram United 3-0 in the quarter-finals, believes whichever team capitalises on the finer details will be the side that gains the upper hand.
“It’s obviously going to be a tough and intense match,” said Jaissle. “We have already faced Hilal before and we know how to prepare. Hilal are a great team and they have shown that throughout the three years I’ve been here but hopefully, together with the fans in Jeddah, we can create a great moment to win.
“We have played Hilal so often, we know they have huge quality in their squad but we are well prepared. There will be no surprises on the pitch. It will be a match where details will be the decider.“
The German will draw confidence from their most recent encounter in February when Al Ahli defeated Al Hilal 3-2, the tactician’s first win in five meetings against the Riyadh-based outfit.
“It helps to know and feel that we are capable of beating Hilal. With our fans in the stadium, we are determined to do it again.
“We have a shorter time to prepare. So it was about finding the right balance between training and recovery to ensure that we have our batteries recharged.”
Al Hilal SFC (KSA) v Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)
Venue: King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (Jeddah)
Kick-off: Tuesday, 19:30 (UTC+3)
Courtesy AFC
Preview – SF: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) v Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)
AIPS ASIA News:
With both sides highly familiar with each other, Al Hilal head coach Jesus and his Al Ahli counterpart Jaissle will resist tinkering too much in the showdown between two Saudi Arabian clubs.
This season’s Saudi Pro League meetings between the two ended with one win each, adding more spice to what will surely be a blockbuster showdown at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
“It is a very important match between two big teams,” said Jesus. “We know each other very well but we are preparing for this match like any other.
“I’m sure the match will be at a very high level and if we can put the right strategy and get the maximum performance, we can win.
“We will not change anything. We have been here for two years now and we have our own ideas and style. Some small details can be modified but generally, we will approach the game with our idea.”
Jesus will need to, however, decide on the right-back position with Joao Cancelo injured during the 7-0 quarter-final win against Korea Republic’s Gwangju FC. Yasir Al Shahrani came on as his replacement and the experienced 32-year-old defender could be called upon once again as Jesus confirmed Cancelo’s medium term absence.
“The only negative part of an excellent game was Joao Cancelo’s injury. He’s one of the players that is very important to the team due to his attacking qualities.
“The medical team is saying he will be out for 4-6 weeks so he will be unavailable for now but he should be ready for the Club World Cup.”
Jaissle, whose side defeated Thailand’s Buriram United 3-0 in the quarter-finals, believes whichever team capitalises on the finer details will be the side that gains the upper hand.
“It’s obviously going to be a tough and intense match,” said Jaissle. “We have already faced Hilal before and we know how to prepare. Hilal are a great team and they have shown that throughout the three years I’ve been here but hopefully, together with the fans in Jeddah, we can create a great moment to win.
“We have played Hilal so often, we know they have huge quality in their squad but we are well prepared. There will be no surprises on the pitch. It will be a match where details will be the decider.“
The German will draw confidence from their most recent encounter in February when Al Ahli defeated Al Hilal 3-2, the tactician’s first win in five meetings against the Riyadh-based outfit.
“It helps to know and feel that we are capable of beating Hilal. With our fans in the stadium, we are determined to do it again.
“We have a shorter time to prepare. So it was about finding the right balance between training and recovery to ensure that we have our batteries recharged.”
Al Hilal SFC (KSA) v Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)
Venue: King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (Jeddah)
Kick-off: Tuesday, 19:30 (UTC+3)
Courtesy AFC
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