Qatar's El Jaish have recorded back-to-back wins over former AFC Champions League winners Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates to top Group D on maximum points after two games. |
Coach Sabri Lamouchi is looking for Qatar's El Jaish to build on their perfect start in Group D of the AFC Champions League at home to Uzbekistan's Nasaf on Wednesday.
The Qatar Stars League side qualified for the continental competition after beating Iran's Naft Tehran in the play-offs before claiming successive 2-1 wins over former champions Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates to top Group D on maximum points after two games.
But Nasaf will also be full of confidence at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium after recording a 2-1 home win over Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli on Matchday Two in a reversal of the scoreline when the sides met in their Group D opener last month.
"The three points that we got tonight were very important; we defeated one of the strongest teams in the group," said Lamouchi following his side's win over Al Ain earlier this month.
"We are now in a good position in the group, but there is still plenty to play for and we should not underestimate the other teams."
Also in Group D on Wednesday, Al Ain will look to bounce back from their disappointing start when the inaugural AFC Champions League winners host Al Ahli at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.
Elsewhere, table-toppers FC Seoul of Korea Republic visit China's Shandong Luneng in Group F with both teams having enjoyed perfect starts to their AFC Champions League campaigns.
FC Seoul's Brazilian striker Adriano has been one of the stories of the tournament to date after scoring seven goals in two games as the K-League Classic side began their campaign with wins over Thai Premier League winners Buriram United and J,League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
"I want to praise Adriano for his goals, but it's a team effort; the work everyone does for the team makes it possible to score goals," said coach Choi Yong-soo after FC Seoul's 4-1 victory against Sanfrecce earlier this month.
Shandong, though, have their own in-form striker in Brazilian Diego Tardelli, who after netting in the play-off victory over Australia's Adelaide United, has gone on to register further goals in Group F wins against Sanfrecce and Buriram.
And in Wednesday's other Group F tie, Sanfrecce and Buriram meet at Hiroshima Athletic Stadium, where the Thai champions will be without suspended captain Sushao Nutnam and Venezuelan defender Andres Tunez.
Also in the East, defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande entertain Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds at Tianhe Sport Center with the Chinese Super League side seeking a first win of the campaign.
Guangzhou began their Group H campaign with a goalless draw at home to Korea's Pohang Steelers before losing 2-1 to Sydney FC earlier this month.
J.League side Urawa, meanwhile, beat Sydney 2-0 in their group opener prior to a 1-0 defeat by three-time Asian champions Pohang two weeks ago.
Urawa, though, will be without striker Naoki Ishihara due to suspension following a decision by the AFC Disciplinary Committee.
"We found it quite difficult because we always want to attack the opponent and be on the front foot," said Guangzhou coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
"We have some problems in defence when we have to go back to our positions."
Korea's Pohang, meanwhile, are aiming to solidify their position at the summit of the group when they host Sydney at The Steelyard.
But the K-League Classic side will be without Son Jun-ho after the midfielder was sent-off against Urawa having earlier scored what proved to be the only goal of the game.
Finally in the West, Group B leaders and Saudi Pro League champions Al Nassr host Qatar's Lekhwiya, while Uzbekistan's Bunyodkor entertain Zobahan of Iran.
Earlier this month, Al Nassr claimed a 1-0 away win against Bunyodkor after playing out a 3-3 draw with the Uzbek side in their group opener.
Qatar Stars League champions Lekhwiya, meanwhile, have yet to score in this year's continental competition having suffered a 1-0 home defeat by Zobahan before claiming a goalless draw in the return fixture.
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