JEDDAH, 11 May 2005 — Al-Ahli host Al-Zawraa of Iraq at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium here today in a crucial Group D match in the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Champions League.
On top of Group D with 9 points from 4 matches, Ahli of Jeddah are gunning for full 3 points that would give them a spot in the quarterfinals of the competition.
Ahli’s morale is high following their 2-0 win against Qadisiya last Sunday in the Saudi Soccer League.
Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan, with 6 points from 4 matches, are second in the group with Al-Jaish of Syria third with 4 points and Al-Zawraa fourth and last on goal difference also with also 4 points.
Ahli and Pakhtakor should make the next round with both Al-Jaish and Al-Zawraa having practically dropped out of the race.
Ahli lost against Pakhtakor 2-1 in Uzbekistan. Despite the defeat, Ahli remained on top of the group.
Al-Shabab, another Saudi club in the fold, face Sepahan of Iran in Iran in a Group B match. The group is complicated and three teams have equal chances of qualifying for the next round. Sepahan are in first place with 8 points, followed by Al-Ain of UAE in second place with 7 and Shabab third also with 7 points. Al-Wehda of Syria are last with 0 points and officially out of the competition.
Shabab face a difficult task on Iranian soil. But if Shabab hurdle this one, they have an excellence chance to qualify since their last match will be a home tie in Riyadh against lowly Wehda.
