Al Wahda looking to ride past Lokomotiv
abu dhabi — Arabian Gulf Cup winners Al Wahda will look to keep the winning momentum going during the AFC Champions League match against Lokomotiv Tashkent at Zayed Sports City Stadium on Tuesday.
Ahead of the encounter, Al Wahda coach Laurentiu Reghecampf struck a cautious note. Al Wahda are fourth in Group B with three points from four matches. The Abu Dhabi club had a torrid run in the Asian Continental matches after losing three consecutive matches. The ‘Clarets’ finally bagged three points by thrashing Zobahan 3-0 courtesy goals from Sebastian Tagliabue, Mourad Batna and Mohamed Al Akbari.
Their opponents, Lokomotiv, too are on three points but are placed ahead of Al Wahda on superior goal difference.
Lokomotiv had hammered Al Wahda 5-0 in the opening match but the Uzbek side lost the next three on the trot. And both sides will be looking to make amends.
“We are having good outing but got a difficult fixture against Lokomotiv,” Reghecampf said during a press conference on Monday.
Al Wahda are in good form and will look to put early pressure on Lokomotiv, who are playing their first game since mid-March.
There are few worries for Al Wahda with Salem Sultan, Mohammed Abdulbasit and Hungarian star Balazs Dzsudzsak all out due to suspension. Lokomotiv, meanwhile, will miss the services of Oleg Zoteev.
“We will try our best to win the game and are hopeful about staying in contention to qualify for the next round,” Reghecampf added.
In Group B, Qatar side Al Duhail have already qualified into the round of 16 with 12 points and Zobahan are placed second with six points. A win for Al Wahda will make things interesting in the group with a match to spare.
5-0 Al Wahda lost to Lokomotiv in the opening match