Al Ahli goalkeeper Majed Nasser has refused to get carried away by thoughts of another all-UAE round-of-16 clash ahead of the battle with Uzebekistan’s Lokomotiv Tashkent which will decide his side’s fate.

The Red Knights must avoid a loss on Tuesday night as Group A rounds up to guarantee a second-ever entry into the knockout stages. The historic previous run, which ultimately ended in defeat to China’s Guangzhou Evergrande in November 2015’s final, contained a meeting with bitter rivals Al Ain and a draw will likely set-up a repeat against the Group C winners.

“It is great to play big teams in Asia,” said 33-year-old Nasser, whose club currently tops the pool.

“If we are to play a team from the UAE, it will be different from an Arabian Gulf League game.

“I hope to qualify and whoever we play next, it doesn’t matter.”

Ahli’s only defeat in the group came in Tashkent during February, midfielder Salamat Kutibaev scoring the second-fastest goal ever seen in the competition to spark a 2-0 win. To avoid another reversal versus the Uzbek League leaders, coach Cosmin Olaroiu will have to manage a striking crisis with Ahmed Khalil injured and Makhete Diop suspended.

But the Romanian was convinced his players will battle through.

He said: “We are not in the best situation, but I hope and trust the players to make one more effort, be concentrated and focused to reach our target to qualify.”

Bottom-placed Loko – who were beaten 1-0 on aggregate in last year’s quarter-finals by the Boss – must win on the road in the ACL for just the second time in 12 games to stand any chance of progression.

“I think both teams will show good football and if you see in last games, we scored many goals,” said optimistic coach Andrey Miklyaev. “We can also score many goals again and win the match.”

Elsewhere, newly-crowned AGL winners Al Jazira finish up a miserable Asian campaign at Iran’s Esteghlal Khuzestan.