JEDDAH: The AFC Champions League action resumes today with eight matches scheduled including two involving Saudi clubs Al-Shabab and Al-Ittifaq. Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad of Saudi are set to play tomorrow.
All four Saudi teams are looking at the opportunity to qualify for the next round of the competition.
In Group D, Ittifaq leads the group with six points from two wins and one defeat. Ittifaq already arrived in UAE to face Shabab of UAE in a a tough second leg match. Shabab is in the bottom of the group with three points, but still has hopes alive of qualifying to the next round if the points against Ittifaq are collected.
Shabab of UAE is looking forward to win the game and compensate for the big loss against Al-Ain of UAE in the President’s Cup. Ittifaq won the first leg match against Shabab 4-1.
Sepahan of Iran faces FC Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan in Iran. Sepehan is second with four points and FC Bunyodkor is third with four points also, but in third place because of goal difference.
In Group B action, Shabab hosts Al-Sharjah of UAE in Riyadh. Shabab is first of the group with seven points, equal with Piroozi Perspolis of Iran.
Al-Sharjah is last in the standing with no points. Al-Sharjah is tecnicially out of the competition with no point, and the race is now limited among Shabab, Piroozi and Al-Garrafa. Shabab enters the match with the aim to collect three points against the UAE side, with an eye on the other match between Piroozi and Al-Garrafa of Qatar in Qatar. Shabab is hoping that Al-Garrafa would stop the Iranian team with a defeat or at least a draw.
