The Dubai based side had managed to scrape a 1-0 win against their Islamic Republic of Iran opponents, thanks to a magnificent solo effort from youngster Harib Abdallah Suhail to give Shabab Al Ahli their first three points in the 2020 edition.

A second consecutive win for the 2015 AFC Champions League runners-up would put them at the heart of competition for a Round-of-16 spot as the two sides ahead of them in the group table, Al Hilal with nine points and Pakhtakor with six, lock horns in the late Thursday fixture.

Doha: Abderrazak Hamdallah from Al Nassr has been named the Toyota Player of the Week for Matchday 3 of the 2020 AFC Champions League (West).

Hamdallah netted both goals in the Saudi side's 2-0 win over Sepahan on Tuesday. The Moroccan is now top scorer in the tournament with four goals from three matches.

A Sebastian Giovinco free-kick and a last-second strike from substitute Hattan Bahebri sealed a 2-1 win for Al Hilal on Monday as Pakhtakor were reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of keeper Eldorbek Suyonov for handling the ball outside of his area.

But with two victories from their first two games, Pakhtakor could still pip Al Hilal to the top of the group with a two-goal margin win, and if Shahr Khodro manage a win against Shabab Al Ahli Dubai in the other Thursday match, the Uzbek League champions could have a foot and a half in the Round of 16 come Matchday Five.

The former German international winger joined Al Ahli from Red Star Belgrade in January, but the Saudi Pro League’s COVID-19 enforced break followed by a muscular injury meant he had not played competitively for six months before putting on a Man of The Match performance, including a late winner against Al Shorta on Monday.

And with qualification to the Round of 16 guaranteed, Al Ahli now eye the top spot in Group A in hope it would help them avoid reigning champions Al Hilal who eliminated them at the same stage in 2019 and now hold the top spot in Group B after three matches.

Kodjo Laba opened the scoring for Al Ain early on. 2019 AFC Footballer of the Year Akram Afif equalised on 35 minutes, shortly before Bauyrzhan Islamkhan hammered home a contender for goal of the tournament to put Al Ain ahead before half time.

A debut goal from Santi Cazorla followed by a Baghdad Bounedjah tap-in put Al Sadd ahead before friendly fire from Boualem Khoukhi put the game back on equal terms. The result meant Al Sadd slipped down to second place on five points after Al Nassr managed a win against Sepahan FC, while Al Ain took their first point of the campaign yet remained bottom of the group, four points off second place.

A brace from Moroccan Abderrazak Hamdallah either side of the halftime break secured the points at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium even as Sepahan rallied late on to try and salvage something from the game but to no avail.

Al Nassr top Group D with seven points from three games, having extended their unbeaten run in the 2020 edition to three games, but the task is far from over for the Riyadh based side at the halfway point of the group stage, according to manager Vitoria.

A late goal from Shojae Khalilzadeh goal gave the Islamic Republic of Iran side their first win of the competition and moved them to two points behind Al Taawoun, who remained on top despite the defeat.

Resan said Persepolis' runaway victory in the Iran Pro League fuelled their desire to get the win.