AFC Champions League Two:
Esteghlal to visit Al Wasl in Group A opener
Persian Gulf Pro League club Esteghlal will play away to Emirati outfit Al Wasl in their opening game in Group A of the new AFC Champions League Two season today at Dubai’s Zabeel Stadium.
Esteghlal secured a place in the Asian second-tier club competition after lifting a record eighth Iranian Hazfi Cup trophy in May, while eight-time Emirati top-flight champion Al Wasl qualified thanks to a fourth-place finish in the UAE Pro League last term.
Both sides are eighth in their respective domestic league tables with four points from three games.
The Tehran Blues will head into the game on the back of a shock 1-0 loss to Esteghlal Khuzestan in Ahvaz on Friday, while Al Wasl shared the spoils with Al Ain in a 1-1 draw at home last time out in the Emirati league on Saturday.
Bahraini domestic double champion Al Muharraq and Jordanian FA Cup winner Al Wehdat are the other two teams in the group, squaring off at the Al Muharraq Stadium in Arad later today.