Al Ain travel to Doha in search a landmark final spot in the AFC Champions League. The Garden City have already beaten their Qatari opponents in the first leg, who will most likely go all out and cause an upset for the Emirati club.
Sport360 summarises all the major talking points ahead of Tuesday night’s fixture.
AMOORY’S TIME TO SHINE
UAE football’s resident superstar performed poorly once again upon his return to Saudi Arabia last week. Omar Abdulrahman had been at his mesmerising best for Al Ain previously. A repeat of his goal and assist from the opening leg would kill the tie.
WILL THE REAL RASHIDOV EMERGE?
There is definitely something of the Cristiano Ronaldo about the tall Uzbekistan forward. Yet all too often, he looks like the ‘CR7’ who fumbled through his formative years at Manchester United. A show of his undoubted class would be very well timed for El Jaish this evening.
DALIC’S DATE WITH DESTINY
Al Ain coach Zlatko Dalic has a real affinity with the AFC Champions League. and he highlighted this stellar record yesterday. His standing in the Garden City has so often been tied to the club’s success, or lack of it, since his 2014 arrival. Now he must stake a claim for the continental crown.
HISTORY LESSONS
The previous meeting between these clubs in Doha featured a rare off night for Al Ain in the ACL. They were well beaten in March despite the tight-looking 2-1 scoreline. That Group D result must act as a guide to them now. If they underperform once again, the Soldiers will surely strike.
PUTTING REINS ON ROMARINHO
Dreadlocked forward Romarinho has been a nuisance to Al Ain in all three meetings this year. His low centre of gravity and smart footwork provides an uncomfortable challenge for hulking centre-backs Ismail Ahmed and Mohanad Salem, who must be diligent.