Preview - Group C: Al Gharafa (QAT) v Foolad Khouzestan FC (IRN)

It looks like it will be a photo finish in Group C with Shabab Al Ahli currently in second place on six points, two behind leaders Foolad Khouzestan FC who face third place Al Gharafa on the penultimate match day.

Shabab Al Ahli secured their first win three days ago in sensational style, scoring eight goals from six different scorers against Al Gharafa to give them the impetus to chase for top spot in the immensely tight group where the leading three teams are all in the running to advance to the next stage.

The last time the two sides met was on Matchday One, when Al Taawoun snatched a late 2-1 win thanks to Alvaro Medran’s excellent effort four minutes from time, having initially gone down to Edmilson’s opener that was canceled out five minutes later by Cameroonian Leandre Tawamba.

The duo are in the driver’s seat of the group; Al Duhail lead the way with nine points from four games while Al Taawoun are two points short behind them with two wins, a draw and a loss. As things stand, Van den Brom’s men are the top second-placed side and a win here could see them go top of the group or at least confirm one of the three spots reserved for group runners-up in the Round of 16.

The two sides know they are not in charge of their own fate anymore, having fallen behind the pace in the group. They met back on Matchday One and the Iranian side managed to turn a 1-0 deficit at half time into a 3-1 win by the end of the match, with Pakhtakor missing a host of opportunities to get something out of the game yet the profligate attack of the Uzbek side was their undoing.

Things are marginally better for Navidkia’s men who sit in third place on four points, five behind top-placed Al Duhail SC and three behind Al Taawoun. They will need to rally themselves and hope other results go their way to clinch the top spot, but a second place finish looks more realistic although that too remains a doubt with their negative head-to-head record against Al Taawoun.