Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Sixteen clubs from the West Zone are set to return to action for Matchday 2 of the 2017 AFC Champions League Group Stage following an enthralling first round pf fixtures.
West Zone
Group A
The week’s action gets underway in Group A on Monday with Lokomotiv looking to bounce back from their 1-0 opening-day loss to Al Taawoun when they host 2015 runners-up Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates in Tashkent.
The visitors began their continental campaign with a 2-1 victory over Esteghlal thanks to a last-minute Makhete Diop goal and will look to maintain their winning start in what is the first ever meeting between the sides.
Esteghlal, meanwhile, will be hoping for a reversal fortunes when they face Saudi Arabian newcomers Al Taawoun, whose tournament record currently reads played one, won one.
Lokomotiv (UZB) v Al Ahli (UAE)
PREVIEW
Venue: Lokomotiv Stadium, Tashkent
Kick-off: February 27, 16:00 UTC+5
Esteghlal (IRN) v Al Taawoun (KSA)
PREVIEW
Venue: Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat
Kick-off: February 27, 19:30 UTC+4
Group B
Also on Monday, Lekhwiya and Esteghlal Khouzestan take to the road in Group B after the clubs posted home wins over Al Jazira and Al Fateh respectively on Matchday One.
Al Fateh remain in the hunt for a first ever AFC Champions League victory, but face a Lekhwiya side who were impressive in seeing off Al Jazira 3-0 in their opening fixture.
Al Jazira endured a disappointing start to their campaign and will need to improve ahead of the visit of an Esteghlal Khouzestan side that claimed victory over Al Fateh in what was their continental debut.
Al Fateh (KSA) v Lekhwiya (QAT)
PREVIEW
Venue: Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Stadium, Al-Hasa
Kick-off: February 27, 18:10 UTC+3
Al Jazira (UAE) v Esteghlal Khouzestan (IRN)
PREVIEW
Venue: Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Kick-off: February 27, 19:30 UTC+4
Group C
The following day, 2016 runners-up Al Ain travel to Uzbekistan to face Bunyodkor in Group C with both sides looking to record their first three points of the campaign.
Al Ain created numerous chances but only managed a 1-1 draw at home to Zobahan on Matchday One, while Bunyodkor’s 2-0 reversal to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli was their 15th game without a win in the tournament.
Zobahan will look to kick on from their impressive draw in Al Ain when they meet Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli, who will arrive with confidence after playing out a comfortable victory over Bunyodkor.
Bunyodkor (UZB) v Al Ain (UAE)
PREVIEW
Venue: Bunyodkor Stadium, Tashkent
Kick-off: February 28, 18:00 UTC+5
Zobahan (IRN) v Al Ahli (KSA)
PREVIEW
Venue: Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat
Kick-off: February 28, 19:15 UTC+4
Group D
In Group D, Al Hilal host Al Rayyan hoping to build on their 1-1 draw with Persepolis in their tournament opener as the Saudi Arabian giants look to make it three wins in a row against their Qatari opponents after claiming a double in the 2013 group stage.
But Al Rayyan began their competition with a 2-1 victory against Al Wahda and will know a positive result in Riyadh will leave them in a strong position after just two games.
Elsewhere, Al Wahda target their first points of the 2017 group stage but face a Persepolis side that are riding high domestically and secured a credible draw will Al Hilal in their Group D opener.
Al Hilal (KSA) v Al Rayyan (QAT)
PREVIEW
Venue: Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh
Kick-off: February 28, 19:45 UTC+3
Al Wahda (UAE) v Persepolis (IRN)
PREVIEW
Venue: Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Kick-off: February 28, 19:10 UTC+4
Photo: Lagardère Sports