IBRAHIM EYES SECOND ACL CROWN WITH AL SADD

Striker Khalfan Ibrahim is convinced former winners Al Sadd can overcome Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal in this month’s AFC Champions League quarter-finals to remain on course to replicate their historic 2011 campaign.

Three years ago, the former AFC Player of the Year helped Al Sadd become the first side to win the continental competition having began in the play-offs after edging out former champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 4-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw after extra-time in the final.

And having scored as the 1989 Asian Club Championship winners eliminated Iran’s Foolad Khouzestan in the Round of 16, Qatar international Ibrahim has turned his attentions to Al Hilal as Al Sadd look to gain revenge from a humbling 5-0 defeat by the Saudi Pro League side in the group stage earlier this year.

“I felt very disappointed with my level during this match and with the whole team’s performance in general,” said Ibrahim after Nassir Al Shamrani’s hat-trick handed Al Hilal victory at King Fahd International Stadium in April.

“Al Hilal is a very good and strong team with good players like Nassir – they have some of the best players in the region – and the next match will be very difficult for both sides with both teams having an even chance to progress.

“But in a way, the time away from the competition from 2011 until 2014 has done us good. We have no pressure because we are not the defending champions and we have great ambitions. I believe we are able to win the AFC Champions League title this year.”

The 26-year-old has been a key component of Al Sadd’s 2014 AFC Champions League campaign, combining with the likes of Rodrigo Tabata, Nadir Belhadj and Hassan Al Haydos in an attacking forward quartet.

And Ibrahim has also scored timely goals on the continental stage after netting the opener in Al Sadd’s crucial 2-1 win over Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates at the end of the group stage.

“The 2011 AFC Champions League victory was a huge achievement for a club from a small country like Qatar. It was absolutely the most important achievement for me personally, and I hope very much to repeat this success again with Al Sadd,” added Ibrahim.

“Although both of the campaigns are equally difficult so far, I feel we have prepared our team in a good way during the off-season and look forward to a return meeting with Al Hilal.”

Al Sadd will travel to Riyadh's King Fahd International Stadium for the first leg of the quarter-final on August 19 before entertaining the Saudi Pro League side a week later.