Agencies/Riyadh

Qatar Stars League champions and newly crowned Qatar Cup winners Lekhwiya will be looking to seal top spot in Group A in today’s critical AFC Champions League tie at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh.
Lekhwiya can replicate their domestic success and clinch Group A if they defeat Al Nassr, while a draw would also be enough should Persepolis fail to beat Bunyodkor.
Forward Mohammed Tresor, though, is suspended after receiving his second yellow card of the group stage during the 3-0 victory over Persepolis on Matchday Five.
“We came here to secure our place in the knockout stage whether with a win or a draw at least and hopefully we can achieve our target although our task will not be easy at all as we are facing a strong team,” said Lekhwiya coach Michael Laudrup.
“Al Nassr have great players who showed great performances in the competition and in the local league where they are leading the table.
“Al Nassr will get a lot of support from their fans but this will not affect our players.”
Meanwhile, Al Nassr coach Jorge da Silva has backed his side to overcome the absence of four first team players and down the Qatari champions.
The Saudi club’s hopes of a place in the last 16 in the continental competition teeters on a knife-edge in spite of their 1-0 victory over Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor a fortnight ago in Tashkent.
While victory in Riyadh would secure Al Nassr’s passage into the knockout stage and potentially wins them the group should Persepolis fail to beat already-eliminated Bunyodkor in the group’s other game, defeat to Laudrup’s side would see them eliminated from the tournament.
Hampering their chances of only a second appearance in the Round of 16, though, is the suspensions of midfielder Abdulaziz al-Jebreen and forward Mohammed al-Sahlawi, while midfield duo Ahmed al-Afraidi and Ibrahim Ghaleb also remain ruled out with long-term injuries.
“We have severe conditions as we miss some key players but hopefully we can please the fans and get a positive result,” said Al Nassr coach da Silva (pictured).
“The match against Lekhwiya is decisive and important for us and we want to win.
“Lekhwiya are a strong team and they are capable of creating a lot of problems for us which means that the match will not be easy.”