JEDDAH: Al-Ittihad and Al-Ittifaq play away and home matches today as they press their bids for places in the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League football tournament.
Ittihad flew to Iran to face Esteghlal Tehran in the second leg match of Group C. Ittihad is currently on top of the group with eight points and Esteghlal Tehran last with only two points. Ittihad prepared early for the match and did not take time off after the first leg match in Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup of Champions against Al-Hazem last Friday, which ended 2-0 in favor of Ittihad.
After drawing their last match against Al-Jazirah of UAE in Jeddah Ittihad is eager to make up for the leak of points but the fatigue factor could be an issue against the team.
Talal Al-Meshal, Abdul Aziz Al-Sebyani and Reda Tukar will be utilized to give Ittihad’s main players a breather.
Jamal Abu Omara, Ittihad club president, said in an interview that the weak performance Ittihad players showed in the last match against Al-Hazem is normal because they had been exhausted playing under pressure. He said that their main concern is that the team qualifies for the next round.
Umm Salal of Qatar faces Al-Jazirah of UAE in Qatar in the same match of the group. Umm Salal is second in the group with seven points and Al-Jazirah is third with three points.
Ittifaq hosts FC Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan in Dammam in the second leg match of Group D. On top of the group with nine points, Ittifaq is looking to win that would guarantee its spot in the next round. Ittifaq players realize the importance of the match and the three points, especially since all teams still have chances to advance.
Abdul Aziz Al-Dosary, president of Ittifaq Club, said that the mission is not easy even if the team leads the group. He said that two rounds are remaining and anything could happen before the end of second leg matches. “Our team showed convincing performance in the past matches and I am sure that victory is in our hands,” said Al-Dosary.
