Dubai: Group A leaders Lokomotiv from Uzbekistan will be without midfielder Kahki Makharadze as they attempt to confirm their place in the knockout phase of the 2016 AFC Champions League when they face second placed Al Nasr on Wednesday.
Makharadze (pictured in action against Al Ittihad on Matchday 1) picked up his second yellow card of the group stage in the 1-0 win over Iran’s Sepahan on Matchday Four to rule him out of a game that could see Lokomotiv earn their place in the last 16.
Victory would seal their spot in the next round and also ensure Lokomotiv win the group while a draw would be enough if two-time champions Al Ittihad from Saudi Arabia do not defeat Sepahan.
“The match tomorrow is very important for the two teams but we want to secure our qualification to the next round with a victory,” said Lokomotiv coach Andrey Miklyaev. “I hope that we can get a positive result and Al Nasr can qualify with us to the knockout stage.
“We are having a good season so far as we have avoided defeat in the local league and in the AFC Champions League. This is a result of the teamwork from our players and hopefully we can achieve history by qualifying for the knockout stage for the first time ever.”
Al Nasr will advance if they can pick up the three points in front of their own fans or if both games in Group A are drawn, and Ivan Jovanovic’s side prepared for the game with a comfortable 5-2 win over Bani Yas in the domestic league on Friday.
“We want to win tomorrow night against a strong team who are having good performances in the competition,” said Jovanovic. “They are currently at the top of the group and they haven’t lost any matches so far, which means the match will not be easy.
“We need a victory and we hope that we can achieve our target. Hopefully a victory tomorrow will secure our place in the knockout stage. I hope that our fans will support us in big numbers tomorrow as we need them to help us win the match.”
Photo: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com