High-flying Emirates aim for hat-trick

AFC – Ras Al Khaimah, Emirates entertain Group D leaders Zob Ahan knowing a third consecutive victory on home soil can see them take a giant stride towards the knockout stage of the 2011 AFC Champions League.

The UAE second division team qualified for Asia’s top table with a surprise triumph in the President’s Cup and as such, were expected to struggle in a group that contains last year’s finalists as well as Al Shabab – who reached the last four in 2010 – and Al Rayyan.

After a narrow defeat in Iran to open their campaign, Emirates went on to stun both the Qataris and Al Shabab at Emirates Club Stadium and lie second in the table on six points, four behind the Iranians but one ahead of Al Shabab.

Victory over Zob Ahan will therefore leave Emirates – who are also closing in on a return to UAE’s top flight – in great shape to claim a place in the last 16 when they visit Al Rayyan in their final game next week.

Mustafa Al Saedi and Hadef Al Zaabi are suspended though and boss Ghrairi Ghazi will once again look to prolific striker Nabil Daoudi to carry the home side’s attacking threat, although the Moroccan was only fit enough to come off the bench in the win over Al Shabab.

Zob Ahan, meanwhile, have looked impressive as they look to emulate last season’s run to the final, where they ultimately lost out to Seongnam Ilhwa.

They are yet to taste defeat in this season’s competition and dropped their only points in a goalless draw at Al Shabab.

However, with fellow 2011 AFC Champions League hopefuls Sepahan poised to take the Iran Pro League crown, it means Zob Ahan boss Mansour Ebrahimzadeh – whose side finished runners-up in last season’s domestic competition – can turn his full attention to going one step further on the Asian stage this time around and a point in the UAE will see them move closer to that goal with a place in the next phase.