Al Duhail coach Djamel Belmadi has insisted his side is good value for topping Group C of the AFC Champions League after their 3-2 victory over Locomotiv Tashkent in Doha on Tuesday.
The win ensured the QNB Stars League champions earned maximum points from three matches and are on course to book their place in the knockout stage.
"We started the game well and we did not expect anything better than this," said Belmadi.
Duhail and Jeonbuk Motors are the only two clubs that have won all three group matches played.
Duhail raced to a 3-0 first half lead with Youssef El Arabi scoring a brace and Youssef Msakni adding the third. But some sloppy defending and two-quick fire goals before the hour mark put pressure on the home team.
"I think the pressure of the match had a clear effect on the players physical performance especially in the second half and we could have ended the match completely in the first half. But in the second period, we gave them hope and they could have leveled the score but we deserved the victory."
Duhail are unbeaten in 19 league matches and three Champions League games. The team is poised to lift another league title and continue their run in the continent.
"The good results the team is achieving this season is a result of a big effort from all the club members and I hope we continue to win in the upcoming matches and championships," Belmadi said.
The star of the match El Arabi said,"It is an important victory which was not easy despite our good start.
"Although, we are on top in this group, we have to continue the journey in achieving positive results and working on correcting all the mistakes," he added.
By Ikoli Victor
