A hat-trick from Michael Olunga helped them trounce Qatar SC 6-1 in their opening game but coach Christophe Galtier cautioned his Red Knights against being carried away by the big win.

That consists of staying focused and warding off any complacency that could have emerged after the impressive win, Lille coach Christophe Galtier told reporters ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Al Rayyan.

“”For our team, it is a big game. Even if this is the second match in the league championship, it has a special value because we consider it as a football summit,” said Al Duhail coach. Runners-up in the league last term, first up for Al Rayyan was a 3-1 thrashing of Umm Salal and Galtier knew what lay ahead as they faced off against the Lions.

“Al Rayyan is keeping the team structure from last season and so we don’t see a lot of changes in formation as the attacking line were very effective,” he stated.

Al Duhail also features the likes of seasoned Qatar international Almoez Ali alongside Ibrahima Diallo, Luis Alberto, Karim Boudiaf and Bassam Al Rawi.Coronavirus Outbreak Coverage Apart from feared striker Olunga.ALSO READ: Shanghai flag raised as Chinese Super League kicks off.

Our goal is always first place: Al Rayyan coach 

Rayyan coach Poya Asbaghi, meanwhile, told his players that Galtier’s men will represent a much tougher challenge than they faced versus Umm Salal.

“Al Duhail, one of (many) clubs to go down that route and least we have a slight insight as can see what they are spending in addition! They are a better team this year and I plan to see them being different, but we have the desire to win,” he answered.

“Always our goal is first place and we are not looking to get second or third so the ambition this year, like every other season here at Liverpool, will be to play for them [trophies],” he said before asserting that “the result today won’t change anything.

“Yes, the one about Al Duhail is just three points and that winning or losing does not change anything at this stage because we are still in the initial rounds of the league but when it comes to playing against Al Rayyan everything will be different,” said Asbaghi who relies on Roger Guedes, Gabriel Pereira, Julien De Sart David Garcia, Rodrigo Moreno.

Another favourite of Asbaghi, who will rely on the strength continente in players such as Roger Guedes for this match against Al Duhail Gabriel Pereira Julien De Sart David Garcia Rodrigo Moreno suggested Hugo.

Today, the Al Janoub Stadium will also stage another match of this round between Al Shamal and Umm Salal as part of Round 2.

Al Shamal will take to the field with their confidence high as they go into the match fresh off a win against Al Sadd; Umm Salal lost 4-1 away to Al Rayyan.

Qatar SC will go up against tittle holders Al Sadd tomorrow as both teams are in the hunt for their first win of the season.