Hilal-Esteghlal showdown

Al-Hilal’s bid to turn a proud AFC Champions League record into a first continental success in over a decade continues against Group D leaders Esteghlal from Iran tomorrow.
The two-time Asian Club Championship winners kick-started their 2013 AFC Champions League campaign with a 3-1 victory over Qatar’s Al Rayyan three weeks ago thanks to a second half double from Yasser Al-Qahtani.
Al-Hilal had lost by the same scoreline to UAE Pro League leaders Al Ain on Matchday One earlier last month with Zlatko Dalic’s side looking to build on last year’s return to the last eight for the first time since reaching the semifinals in 2010.
And Al-Hilal head into the contest having recorded a 4-2 win over two-time AFC Champions League winners Al-Ittihad on Saturday to remain in second place in the Saudi League.
Iran Pro League leaders Esteghlal currently hold a slender one point lead over Al-Hilal and Al Ain at the top of the table after picking up a first win of the campaign against Al Ain last time out after second half goals from Jlloyd Samuel and Farhad Majidi secured a 2-0 win in Tehran.
UAE Pro League leaders Al Ain will look to bounce back at home to Qatar’s Al Rayyan, who will be without suspended Uruguayan midfielder Alvaro Fernandez, having made an impressive start to the campaign against Al Hilal.
Al Ain remained on course to defend their UAE Pro League title after beating fellow AFC Champions League qualifiers Al Shabab Al Arabi 2-1 on Friday.
Also on Wednesday, Pakhtakor travel to Qatar to face Lekhwiya looking to maintain their 100% record in Group B, while Al Shabab Al Arabi entertain Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittifaq in Dubai.
AFC Champions League ever-presents Pakhtakor have begun their 11th consecutive campaign with back-to-back 1-0 wins over Al-Ittifaq and Al Shabab Al Arabi to establish a two-point lead over Lekhwiya at the top of the table.
Qatar champions Lekhwiya, meanwhile, maintained their unbeaten record with a goalless draw in Saudi Arabia last time out having already beaten Al Shabab Al Arabi 2-1 at home.
Al Ettifaq will be without midfielder Yahia Al Shehri for the trip to Dubai to face play-off winners Al Shabab Al Arabi with the UAE Pro League side seeking their first points of the campaign.
Elsewhere, Kashiwa Reysol travel to Korea Republic to face Suwon Bluewings with the Japanese Emperor’s Cup winners boasting a 100% record in Group H.
Kashiwa began their campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over China’s Guizhou Renhe before coming from behind last time out to record an impressive 3-1 home win over Australia’s Central Coast Mariners thanks to a double from Brazilian midfielder Leandro Domingues to leave Nelsinho Baptista’s side four points clear at the top of the table.
Second-placed Suwon are unbeaten in their two outings after the 2011 semi-finalists having posted back-to-back draws against Central Coast and Guizho.
And Suwon recorded a timely 2-1 win over Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the K-League Classic on Saturday with DPR Korea striker Jong Tae-se returning to action for the first time after missing the draw with Guizho due to injury.
A-League Premiers Central Coast, meanwhile, will look to get their campaign back on track against Guizhou, who will be without Zhang Chenglin due to suspension.
Finally, unbeaten Group F leaders Guangzhou Evergrande entertain Thai champions Muangthong United, while 2006 winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors travel to Japan to face 2007 champions Urawa Reds.
Guangzhou coach Marcello Lippi, who saw his side draw 1-1 with Beijing Guoan in the Chinese Super League on Friday, will be without midfielder Huang Bowen due to suspension, while Piyaphon Buntao is ruled out for Muangthong after being sent-off during Urawa’s 4-1 win in Thailand last month.