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UAE teams face 3rd AFC Champions League group games

UAE teams are back in continental action on Tuesday and Wednesday as Match Day 3 of the AFC Champions League group stages takes place. The first of our teams to get underway in the third round of games is Al Jazira, who face a tough away trip to El Jaish of Qatar in Group A, kicking off at 7:30pm UAE time on Tuesday. Al Jazira and El Jaish occupy fourth and third places in the group respectively, both with a point a piece, so an away win would work wonders for the Abu Dhabi-based side to keep their progression chances alive in the competition. Head coach Luis Milla will be without Matias Delgado, who is suspended following his red card in the previous group game against Al Shabab of Saudi Arabia, and young defender Salim Ali will also miss out having been withdrawn from the Etisalat Pro League defeat to Al Wasl through injury. UAE national team midfielder Khamis Esmail also came off injured in the League match on Friday but is now fit and has travelled with the squad to Qatar. With Tractorsazi Tabriz of Iran and Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab just three points ahead of Al Jazira at the top of the group, there is still everything to play for at this stage.

Also on Tuesday night Al Nasr play host to Qatari side Al Gharafa at the Al Maktoum Stadium, with the game kicking off at 8pm. Al Nasr are bottom of Group C and yet to register a point having played two matches, so a home victory could be vital to keep their qualification hopes alive. Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia currently lead the group on 6 points, followed by Al Gharafa and Sepahan both on 3. Captain Leonardo Lima is suspended for the game after his sending off against Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli in the last group game, but Walter Zenga will be encouraged by the displays of some of his young players in the 2-1 League win over Bani Yas on Friday.

At 7:20pm on Wednesday, Al Shabab will welcome the Saudi Arabian side Al Ettifaq to the Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai. Al Shabab are bottom of Group B with no points from their first two games, and Al Ettifaq sit just one place and one point ahead of them, so a win on home turf is crucial for Marcos Paqueta’s men as they look to climb their group and continue on their AFC Champions League journey.

Rounding off the UAE teams in action, Al Ain will be visited by Qatari side Al Rayyan at the Tahnoun bin Mohamed Stadium at 7:30pm on Wednesday. Al Ain are second in Group D with three points, trailing leaders Esteghlal of Iran by just one point, so a home win against bottom-of-the-group Al Rayyan would go a long way in helping Al Ain’s bid to make it out of the group stages. Having won their opening match at their home ground against Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia, Cosmin Olaroiu’s team will be looking for a repeat result in front of a supportive crowd.