Wahda face stiff Ittihad test; Wasl take on Iraq’s Zawra’a
abu dhabi — Al Wahda will look to avoid a second successive defeat in Group B of the 2019 AFC Champions League when they welcome Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad to Al Nahyan Stadium on Monday.
The Emirati side endured a disappointing start to their campaign when they lost 2-0 to Lokomotiv in Uzbekistan and they will hope home comforts bring about an improved performance, AFC website reported. Al Wahda, who will have Salem Sultan available after suspension, have faced Al Ittihad four times in the competition (in 2010 and 2011), losing three and drawing one, and have yet to register a goal.
Two-time AFC Champions League winners Al Ittihad could not have enjoyed a better return to a tournament they last ap- peared in three years ago as Fahad Al Muwallad scored twice in a 5-1 victory over Al Rayyan.
The Saudi side followed up their opening-day win with a crucial 2-0 victory over Al Feiha on Friday to keep themselves just above the relegation zone in the Saudi Pro League.
Meanwhile, history will be made at Karbala International Stadium on Monday as Al Zawra’a stage the first ever AFC Champions League match
to be held in Iraq when they host the UAE’s Al Wasl in Group A.
The Iraqi side gained a credible scoreless draw away against Iran’s Zobahan on Matchday One in what was their first appearance in the competition since 2007. Al Zawra’a have twice faced Emirati opposition in the AFC Champions League, when they lost one and drew one against Al Wahda in the 2007 group stage.
Al Wasl enjoyed a perfect start to the tournament last week when Fabio Lima’s penalty was enough to see off Al Nassr 1-0.