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UAE teams face tough matches in AFC Champions League

With Al Ain's second round AFC Champions League match against Nagoya Grampus of Japan being postponed due to the devastating earthquake and tsunami, the participation of UAE teams will be confined to three matches featuring Al Jazira, Al Wahda and Emirates.

Both Al Jazira and Al Wahda were kept to a draw in their opening encounters of the continental championship at home, while Emirates lost 2-1 to Zobahan of Iran at Tehran Stadium. Al Jazira came out with a single point after being held to a goalless draw by Al Gharafa of Qatar at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, and Al Wahda are also on one point following their 1-1 draw against FC Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan at Al Nahyan Stadium.

The three teams will go into their second match determined to collect more points to help keep their chances of qualification to the next stage alive. But the three teams will need to work hard and maintain their concentration levels if they are to be successful. 

Al Jazira left for Esfahan City in Iran yesterday and will face Sepahan on Tuesday, March 15 at Naghsh Jahan Stadium, kick off 7:30 pm UAE time. The team will miss the efforts of their two injured midfielders including Brazilian Delgado and Ahmad Dada, but will have five players from the UAE U-23 Olympic National Team Ali Mabkhout, Mohammed Marzoog, Sultan Bargash, Ali Salim Al Amri and Khamis Ismail who have joined the squad along with Mohammad Bargash who will replace Ahmad Dada. Sepahan FC of Iran, which includes a number of Iran National Team players, are sitting on top of Group A with three points after beating Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia 2-1 in their opening match played in Saudi's capital Al Riyadh.

 Both Al Wahda and Emirates teams will play their second match on Wednesday, March 16. Al Wahda will fly to Iran on Tuesday and will meet Persepolis the following day at 6pm UAE time. The team has defender Hamadan Al Kamali and goalkeeper Adil Al Hosani back from national duty with the Olympic Team.

Emirates Club, who demonstrated a very solid display in their first match against Iranian side FC Zob Ahan, will host Al-Rayyan of Qatar at Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Ras Al Khaimah at 7pm on Wednesday.