DOHA: Qatar’s Al Gharafa only need to avoid defeat in their AFC Champions League match against Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli today to reach the last-16 stage of the tournament.
Australia midfielder Mark Bresciano remains sidelined while defender Bilal Mohammed will also miss the game due to injury as Al Gharafa seek a place in the last 16 for the first time since reaching the quarter-finals in 2010.
“We want to have a positive result against Al Ahli because we want to advance from the group. The match is very important because we are playing against the group leaders and for me this is the most important match for us as winning the match will get us through,” said Al Gharafa coach Habib Tounsi, who saw his side beat Qatar SC 2-0 in Thursday.
“We have prepared the team well and have focused more on the mental aspect because the players should concentrate until the end of the match. We have good players and hopefully our defenders can stop the good attacks of Al Ahli,” he added.
Elsewhere, Al Rayyan, who departed Doha yesterday, visit Iran’s Esteghlal.
Diego Aguirre’s side is bottom in Group D, but is three points behind their opponents.
Goalkeeper Keeper Omar Bari said: “The game is very important to us because we are determined to qualify. We see this game as being definitive about our future in the group. The pressure is really on us but I think that is a good thing to try and help us reach the next round.”
He added: “We’ve found ourselves in difficult situations before and managed to succeed and I hope this is the same.”
Elsewhere, China’s Guangzhou Evergrande stand poised to reach the eliminators in what will be a make-or-break week. Evergrande face Urawa Red Diamond.
Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol are handily placed, needing just a draw against Chinese outfit Guizhou Renhe to join Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli and Al Shabab.
But most teams’ fortunes are still far from clear with Central Coast Mariners, buoyed by claiming Australia’s A-League title for the first time, among those hoping to make a late sprint to the line.
Graham Arnold’s men, fresh from beating Western Sydney Wanderers 2-0 in Sunday’s grand final, visit South Korea’s Suwon Bluewings with three clubs separated by just a point behind Kashiwa in Group H.
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