Al Ain one win away from AFC progress

Martyn Thomas 11:18 15/04/2014
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  • On the verge: Al Ain (white) are looking for their first away win in 15 matches.

    Ismail Ahmed insists Al Ain will not take Lekhwiya lightly in the pair’s AFC Champions League Group C clash tonight.

    The Boss travel to Doha knowing victory will clinch their passage to the knockout rounds for the first time in five attempts.

    The 2003 champions are without an away win in the competition in 15 games but have beaten their hosts already this campaign, a 2-1 victory in February at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.

    Lekhwiya have also struggled for form recently losing their last three games in all competitions, although their last two Qatar Stars League defeats came after they had already secured a third title in four years.

    “They are the champions in the Qatari league and we know they have distinguished players,” Boss defender Ahmed said. “They are playing their last chance at home against us in AFC champions League.”

    Al Ain are unbeaten in four games since losing at home to Al Ahli in the Arabian Gulf League on March 23.

    Coach Zlatko Dalic is set to welcome back Ibrahim Diaky from suspension while Ahmed Barman and Fawzi Fayez have recovered from injury, but Mirel Radoi will again be missing.

    Former Al Jazira man Diaky says his team-mates must be at their best if they want to make sure of their place in the next round.

    “We know that we will play against a tough team at their home, so we must be ready and concentrate on the match from the beginning to the end,” he said.

    “Al Ain is full of distinguished players and I believe in their abilities. We play every match to make our fans happy and to take three points back to Al Ain.”

    Diaky added: “There is no doubt that they (Lekhwiya) are a strong team and can make the difference at any time during the match, thus we must work as one team to qualify to the next stage of the championship.”

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