AFC: Zob Ahan must defeat Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli to progress

Tasnim – DOHA, Iranian football club Zob Ahan must defeat Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli to book a place in the AFC Champions League next stage on Monday.

Al Ahli needs just a point against Zob Ahan to advance to the knockout round on Monday, but defeat at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium in Doha would see the Iranian side join Al Ain as the qualifiers from Group C.

Al Ahli could have advanced to the last 16 two weeks ago but suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to Bunyodkor to leave the team sweating on its place in the next phase, although the Saudi team will go into the clash with confidence having seen off Monday’s opponent 2-1 earlier in the campaign.

Zob Ahan was in a similar position on Matchday Five as a win would have seen the team progress to the next round; however, a 3-0 home reversal to Al Ain now leaves the Iranian team needing three points to successfully navigate the Group Stage.

Since its respective defeats, Al Ahli has won two in a row in the Saudi Professional League, while Zob Ahan has drawn one and won one domestically as both sides enter the clash in good form.