Al Shabab meet star-studded Bunyodkor in AFC clash

Dubai: Al Shabab have vowed to put their best foot forward as they face a Rivaldo-led Bunyodkor in their final Group D match of the AFC Champions League (ACL) in Tashkent on Tuesday.

"We are going there to win and ensure our rightful place in the next round of the competition," Obaid Al Hubaitha, Al Shabab manager, told Gulf News before leaving for the Uzbek capital late on Sunday.

As many as 12 teams have already qualified for the last-16 stage of this annual competition.

Al Shabab could be one of the remaining four to qualify for the next stage, should they secure an outright win against the star-studded Uzbeks tonight.

"We are aware of the tremendous pressure that is on us to win and advance," Al Hubaitha admitted.

"And considering that this is a pretty young side, we are proud of what we have achieved so far," he added.

Of the four teams contesting from the UAE, Al Shabab is the only team with any record to show in this continental competition this season. Grabbing full points tonight will see Al Shabab take the second spot in Group D behind Saudi Arabia's Ettifaq.

The Dubai side has the advantage in their favour following their outright 2-0 win at home against Bunyodkor.

However, since then the Uzbek team has shown marked improvement in their performance with a fighting 2-1 win against FC Andijan in the domestic league last week the latest of their performances.