Irbid: Defending AFC Cup champions Qadsia SC go into their Round of 16 meeting with Jordan’s Al Wehdat on Tuesday without the services of defender Abdullahi Shehu as the Kuwaiti club aims for another appearance in the tournament’s quarter-finals.
Qadsia will be without Shehu (pictured) after he picked up a second yellow card of the group stage in the 2-1 loss against Iraq’s Arbil – who lost in the final of last year’s tournament to the Kuwaitis – on Matchday Six of the group stage.
The Kuwaitis finished in second position in Group C behind FC Istiklol from Tajikistan, conceding home field advantage to Al Wehdat as a result but are aiming to reach the last eight for the fourth time since 2010.
The champions go into the game off the back of winning the Emir’s Cup on Tuesday thanks to a 1-0 win over Al Salmiya.
“We respect Al Wehdat, who are a good team and they have several excellent players,” said Qadsia coach Rashed Al Bedaih.
“We will be playing one away match which will decide our fate in the group but we hope that we can advance to the quarter-finals.
“We hope that we will put in a good performance despite the fact that we will be missing Abdullahi Shehu, who is a key player for us. However, we have good replacements and I’m confident that our players will give their best.”
Al Wehdat won Group A to secure home field advantage but go into the game without midfielder Rajaei Ayed, who is suspended, with coach Abdallah Abu Zema looking for a positive reaction from his side after they lost in the semi-finals of the Jordan Cup against Al Faisaly last week.
“Our opponents are a strong team as they are the defending champions and they have showed good performances in the recent matches,” said Abu Zema ahead of the winner-takes-all clash.
“We still haven’t decided on the starting line-up and hopefully we can find the best formation to play with tomorrow.
“We need the experienced players and at the same time we have good young players who are eager to show their ability. I hope that the fans will support us as their presence is important.”
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