AFC Champions League: Al Gharafa Seek Victory Against Iran's Zob Ahan

Doha, February 17 (QNA) - Qatar's representatives to AFC Champions League 'Al Gharafa' target a group-stage berth in this year's tournament when they run into Zob Ahan of Iran in play-off. The kick-off is at 18:00 at the Al Gharafa Stadium in Doha on Tuesday, 19th February. Qatar's Al Duhail and Al Sadd directly qualified for the group stage of 2019 AFC Champions League by virtue of having finished as winners and runners-up of 2017-18 season QNB Stars League. Al Rayyan and Al Gharafa, who finished third and fourth in the standings, went into play-off in order to book a berth in the preliminary phase. Qatar's Al Gharafa will look to confirm their second successive appearance in the AFC Champions League. The Iranian side is attempting to qualify for the group stage for the fourth year in a row after reaching the Round of 16 last year. Iranian Pro League runners-up Zob Ahan saw off three-time AFC Cup winners Kuwait SC 1-0 after extra time in the preliminary stage. Al Gharafa, coached by Frenchman Christian Gourcuff, will look to put behind the disappointment of losing to Umm Salal in Week 16 of the QNB Stars League. The Cheetahs, who slipped one place to eight in the standings with 18 points, indeed have the potential to beat Zob Ahan, the runners-up in the Iranian league. If Al Gharafa win, they will join teams such as Al Wasl of the UAE and Al Zawraa of Iraq in Group A. Al Gharafa are expected to field a full squad, with the return of Vladimir Weiss and Diogo Amado from injury. They will also be served by goalkeeper Yousef Hassan, Tamim Al Muhaysa, Abdulaziz Hatem, Fahd Al Shammari, Yousef Muftah, Mehdi Taremi, Othman Al Yahri and Ahmed Alaaeldin. (QNA)