Al Wasl will need to successfully manage a cascade of emotions if they are to continue their winning start when Al Zawra’a host Iraq’s first-ever AFC Champions League match on Monday.
Brazilian forward Fabio De Lima’s questionable penalty earned a 1-0 victory – ending an 11-year drought in the competition – from last week’s Group A-opener against free-spending Saudi Professional League-outfit Al Nassr. Next up are Iraqi Premier League holders, who kicked off their first campaign since 2007 with a creditable goalless draw at Iran’s Zob Ahan.
“We are here to win against a team we respect very much,” said Cheetahs boss Laurentiu Reghecampf. “Being in the continental tournament gives a big incentive.”
Under predecessor Rodolfo Arruabarrena in 2018, they lost all six pool fixtures.
Elsewhere in this section, Nassr will hope home advantage counts against Zob.
Rui Vitoria’s men have won six of their last seven games in all competitions.
