Al-Hilal takes on UAE champ Al-Ain in crucial AFC encounter today

Newly-crowned UAE Pro League champions Al Ain will look to boost their bid to return to the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League for the first time in seven years with victory over Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia today.
Inaugural AFC Champions League winners Al Ain completed the defense of their UAE domestic crown as Asamoah Gyan’s hat trick secured a 3-0 win over Dubai on Thursday.
And having begun their return to the AFC Champions League with a 3-1 win over Al-Hilal on matchday one at the end of February, Al Ain can advance to the last 16 for the first time since 2006 with a repeat today should Qatar’s Al Rayyan fail to beat Group D leaders Esteghlal in Iran.
Two-time Asian Club Championship winners Al-Hilal, though, can also advance with victory in Riyadh should Esteghlal draw with Al Rayyan.
Group D leaders Esteghlal have a much easier task with Amir Ghalenoei’s side knowing a third win of the campaign will secure qualification for a second consecutive season despite losing 1-0 at home to Al-Hilal earlier this month.
“Our chance is still there,” said Ghalenoei, who will be without defender Amir Hossein Sadeghi and striker Siavash Akbarpour due to suspension, following the defeat by Al-Hilal.
“We’re leading the group and now we’ve got to think about our next game against Al Rayyan, our important Iranian league matches and the title race.” Al Rayyan’s 2-1 win over Al Ain two weeks ago kept the Qatari side in the hunt, although failure to beat Esteghlal could end their campaign should either Al Ain or Al-Hilal claim all three points in Saudi Arabia.
Elsewhere, Qatar’s Al Gharafa only need to avoid defeat at home to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli to join the 2012 finalists in the last 16 from Group C.
Al-Ahli, who lost last year’s final to Ulsan Hyundai, became the first team to qualify for the knockout stage two weeks ago after beating Iran champions Sepahan 4-1 at home.
A draw in Doha would also see Al-Ahli top the table, while Sepahan must beat already-eliminated Al Nasr in Dubai to keep their hopes of a third consecutive appearance in the quarterfinals alive.
In the East, former champions Pohang Steelers can secure qualification from Group G along with two-time semifinalists Bunyodkor from Group G with victory over Beijing Guoan.
Bunyodkor currently top the table two points clear of 2009 champions Pohang and know a third win in Tashkent over already-eliminated J.League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima will seal a sixth consecutive appearance in the knockout stage.
However, should Mirjalal Kasimov’s side see their unbeaten record end at Bunyodkor Stadium, a win for Pohang in Beijing would send both sides through with the Chinese Super League side needing to avoid defeat.
Finally, Japanese Emperor’s Cup winners Kashiwa Reysol can seal top spot in Group H by extending their unbeaten record at home to China’s Guizhou Renhe, while former semi-finalists Suwon Bluewings will look to keep their campaign alive against Australia’s Central Coast Mariners.
With neither Guizhou or Central Coast able to advance or be eliminated on Matchday Five, Kashiwa will also qualify for the Round of 16 for a second consecutive season should Central Coast fail to beat 2011 semifinalists Suwon, who must avoid defeat at Suwon World Cup Stadium.