Bunyodkor will be without Brazilian playmaker Rivaldo as the Uzbekistan champions look to get their Asian Champions League campaign back on track against Iran's Zob Ahan at JAR Stadium tomorrow.
Rivaldo missed last week's 3-0 defeat last week in Esfahan with an ankle injury and is joined on the sidelines by compatriot Joao Victor, although coach Luis Felipe Scolari is boosted by Sakhob Jurayev's return from suspension.
After suffering a first defeat of the campaign Bunyodkor lost top spot in Group B to Zob Ahan at the halfway stage and, with Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad entertaining pointless Al Wahda, Scolari knows his side can not afford any more slip ups.
"We have prepared for this match for the whole week," said Scolari. "I hope it's enough to play well. If we lose the match we will lose our chances to qualify. I don't think we have to be first in the group, our main target is just to qualify."
Despite unbeaten Zob Ahan recording a second win of the campaign at home last week, coach Mansoor Ebrahimzade is not getting carried away and will be happy with a point.
"It will be not bad to play a draw in an away match and we will not be disappointed if it ends as a draw," he said.
"But we have come to win here. I'm sure that my players will do their best to achieve it."
Elsewhere, after picking up a first win of the campaign in Abu Dhabi last week to remain in contention in the group, last year's runners-up Al Ittihad welcome Al Wahda to the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah.
Coach Enzo Trossero has several injury concerns with striker Talal Al Meshal and midfielder Adnan Fallatah in contention to step in to ensure the Saudi League runners-up continue their revival.
"Before the match in Abu Dhabi I said the match would be very difficult. We won the game, but I do not think that the match on Tuesday will be easier," said Trossero.
"All teams are seeking the tickets for the second stage and we can say that no one has secured that yet."
Al Wahda must avoid a fourth consecutive defeat, but will be without suspended Brazilian striker Fernando Baiano, while Brazilian playmaker Magrao, midfielder Mahmoud Khamis, striker Mohamed Al Shehhi and Brazilian midfielder Pinga also did not travel to Jeddah.
"Al Ittihad will be boosted by the win in Abu Dhabi and they are set to fight for one of the tickets for the next stage and we know it will be another tough game," said coach Josef Hickersberger.
After suffering a first defeat of the campaign Bunyodkor lost top spot in Group B to Zob Ahan at the halfway stage and, with Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad entertaining pointless Al Wahda, Scolari knows his side can not afford any more slip ups.
"We have prepared for this match for the whole week," said Scolari. "I hope it's enough to play well. If we lose the match we will lose our chances to qualify. I don't think we have to be first in the group, our main target is just to qualify."
Despite unbeaten Zob Ahan recording a second win of the campaign at home last week, coach Mansoor Ebrahimzade is not getting carried away and will be happy with a point.
"It will be not bad to play a draw in an away match and we will not be disappointed if it ends as a draw," he said.
"But we have come to win here. I'm sure that my players will do their best to achieve it."
Elsewhere, after picking up a first win of the campaign in Abu Dhabi last week to remain in contention in the group, last year's runners-up Al Ittihad welcome Al Wahda to the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah.
Coach Enzo Trossero has several injury concerns with striker Talal Al Meshal and midfielder Adnan Fallatah in contention to step in to ensure the Saudi League runners-up continue their revival.
"Before the match in Abu Dhabi I said the match would be very difficult. We won the game, but I do not think that the match on Tuesday will be easier," said Trossero.
"All teams are seeking the tickets for the second stage and we can say that no one has secured that yet."
Al Wahda must avoid a fourth consecutive defeat, but will be without suspended Brazilian striker Fernando Baiano, while Brazilian playmaker Magrao, midfielder Mahmoud Khamis, striker Mohamed Al Shehhi and Brazilian midfielder Pinga also did not travel to Jeddah.
"Al Ittihad will be boosted by the win in Abu Dhabi and they are set to fight for one of the tickets for the next stage and we know it will be another tough game," said coach Josef Hickersberger.
Copyright (c) Press Association
Related Articles
Socceroos Abroad: ACL kicks off as European seasons start coming to a close
Sydney FC exit Asian Champions League after another loss
