Jazira, Bani Yas set for vital ties

The final leg of the group stage of the 2012 AFC Champions League kicks off over Tuesday and Wednesday in 16 venues around the continent. UAE’s representatives Al Jazira have already booked their spot in the knock out stage for the first time in the club’s history after unsuccessful previous attempts in the Asian premium club competition. Unbeaten in five starts, the Abu Dhabi giants have collected 13 points to lead the way in Group A and ensure a home encounter against the runners up of Group-B in the one-round format of the second stage. And they will play for show when they line up in a crucial tie for their hosts Qatar’s Al Rayyan in Doha on Wednesday. The Qataris have collected six point and a win coupled with a lifeline the Uzbek’s outfeit Nasaf will ensure them a place in the last 16. Nasaf have settled at the bottom of the group with one point and they will be playing for face keeping when they entertain Iran’s Estighlal (8 points) in Tashkent. In Abu Dhabi, UAE’s Bani Yas host Pakhtakour at Al Shamkha Stadium on Wednesday in a game which they must at least draw. Bani Yas are second in Group B behind pace setters Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia with eight points while their Uzbek opponents have collected seven points. In the meantime, Al Shabab and Al Nasr who are practically out of contention will play for consolation. Al Shabab tail off Group-D with two points line up against Iran’s Piroozi Athletic at Maktoum bin Rashid Stadium in Dubai on Tuesday. The match is particularly important for the Iranians who need to win in order to outpace third-placed Qatar’s Al Gharafa. Piroozi have collected eight points and a win will take them directly to the knock stage irrespective of the outcome of Al Gharafa’s away clash against pace setters Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia who have only six points under their belts. But, the disadvantage for Al Gharafa is Al Hilal’s need to win or draw their game in order to finish on top of the group and ensure that they will play at home in the last 16 knock out stage. Again, Al Nasr face Qatari counterparts Lekhwiya in Doha in a consolation match for both teams after having bowed out of the chase for a place in the next stage. Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli and Iran’s Foolad Sepahan (10 points each) battle it to the wire at the Foolad Shahr Stadium, Isfahan City to decide who will be playing at home in the next stage of the competition. Fixtures >Tuesday: Group G: At Nagoya: Nagoya Grampus (JPN) v Central Coast Mariners (AUS) at 1000 GMT >At Tianjin: Tianjin Teda (CHN) v Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (KOR) at 1130 GMT >Group H: At Jeonju Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR) v Kashiwa Reysol (JPN) at 1000 GMT >At Buriram: Buriram United (THA) v Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN) at 1130 GMT Wednesday >Group A: At Karshi: Nasaf (UZB) v Esteghlal (IRI) at 1430 GMT >At Doha: Al Rayyan (QAT) v Al Jazira (UAE) at 1555 GMT >Group B: At Abu Dhabi: Baniyas (UAE) v Pakhtakor (UZB) at 1520 GMT >At Jeddah: Al Ittihad (KSA) v Al Arabi (QAT) at 1800 GMT >Group C: At Esfahan: Foolad Sepahan (IRI) v Al Ahli (KSA) at 1600 GMT >At Doha: Lekhwiya (QAT) v Al Nasr (UAE) at 1600 GMT >Group D: At Dubai: Al Shabab Al Arabi (UAE) v Piroozi Athletic (IRI) at 1600 GMT >At Riyadh: Al Hilal (KSA) v Al Gharafa (QAT) at 1800 GMT >Group E: At Osaka: Gamba Osaka (JPN) v Adelaide United (AUS) at 1000 GMT At Tashkent: Bunyodkor (UZB) v Pohang Steelers (KOR) at 1200 GMT >Group F: At Brisbane: Brisbane Roar (AUS) v Beijing Guoan (CHN) at 0930 GMT >At Ulsan: Ulsan Hyundai (KOR) v FC Tokyo (JPN) at 1030 GMT