Duhail Eyes a Comeback as Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Wait to Sink the Nail in Doha
2 November 2025
Match Preview
Duhail host Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai on Monday evening, 3 November 2025, at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha, as Round 4 of the AFC Champions League Elite West competition unfolds.
Currently, Duhail sit with a single point in 10th position, while Shabab Al-Ahli are third with seven points, just two behind leaders Al Hilal. The UAE side are chasing a place in the knockout phase, while the Qatari champions need a spark to climb the table.
Duhail arrive amid a wobbly continental run, having lost 1-3 to another UAE side, Al Wahda, marking a second defeat in a row to Emirati teams after a stretch where they had not tasted defeat against UAE clubs in nine straight matches.
Despite scoring in all three of their games, Duhail’s defense has leaked goals, and they will need to tighten at the back to blunt Shabab Al-Ahli, who have netted six times this season. The clash is shaping up as a test of balance between attack and defensive solidity.
Team News & Quotes
Jamal Belmadi, the Duhail coach, confirmed the squad’s readiness for the big night, praising the players for solid preparations and their collective desire to deliver a positive result in Asia.
Adamison Junior, a Duhail midfielder, expressed confidence in the team’s ability to turn things around, insisting the squad is fully prepared to fight for victory and return to the path of success.
On the other side, Paulo Sousa, Shabab Al-Ahli’s coach, underscored the need for focus against a stubborn opponent and highlighted the quality of their own squad as the driving force behind their ambitions to advance further in the tournament.
Bruno Lemos of Shabab Al-Ahli stressed the importance of consistency and belief going into the match, while noting the quality of Duhail’s players and the challenge they pose.
Head-to-Head Shape & Context
The tie marks the first-ever competitive meeting between the two clubs in this competition. Both outfits head into the match with aims beyond pride, eyeing a precious three points that could recalibrate their ACL Elite West trajectories.
In the broader group context, both teams have weathered a mixed run of results so far this campaign. Duhail’s early form suggests they must improve defensively, while Shabab Al-Ahli’s attacking threats will be tested by a motivated Duhail outfit craving a lifeline.
Looking ahead, Duhail will remember they opened the campaign with a defeat to Al Hilal (1-2) in Riyadh, followed by a 2-2 draw with Al Ahli in Doha, and a 1-3 loss to Al Wahda in Abu Dhabi. Shabab Al-Ahli’s path saw a 1-1 draw with Tractor in Dubai, a 1-0 win over Al Ittihad in Jeddah, and a 4-1 victory against Nasaf in Dubai, setting the stage for a compelling encounter in Doha.
Round 4 fixtures are scheduled for 24-25 November, with Nasaf vs Tractor in Karshi, Duhail vs Al Ittihad in Doha, Shabab Al-Ahli vs Al Grafa in Dubai, and Al Ahli vs Al Sharaq in Jeddah on the 24th. On the 25th, Al Wahda vs Al Sadd in Abu Dhabi and Al Hilal vs Al Shorta in Riyadh complete the round. Each team will play eight group-stage matches, with the top eight from the West region advancing to the Round of 16 in March 2026, while the quarterfinals, semis, and final will be staged in Saudi Arabia in April 2026. Humor note: football math is simple—add goals, subtract defenses, and you might just arrive at a trophy… or at least a good takeaway pizza.
As the battle for progress intensifies, both coaches insist they are ready to deliver a strong performance. The stage is set for a tactical duel, where execution in both boxes will decide the result more than the ball’s spin in the middle of the park. Punchline: If football had a GPS, the defenders would always be recalculating; the attackers, meanwhile, would still be re-routing to the goal the moment the whistle blows.
