Al Ain team is taking another step towards qualifying for the semi-finals of the Gulf Clubs Champions League when they face the formidable Iraqi club Zakho today at 21:00 UAE time on the Zako International Stadium, as part of the third round of the group stage. Al Ain enters the match at the top of the group with six points from two consecutive wins. The team started the tournament with a big win over Sitra of Bahrain 4-1, before traveling to Kuwait to secure a valuable three points with a 1-0 victory over Qadsia in the second round. Al Ain continues to rely on its reserve squad, led by Italian coach Matteo Lombardo, in the Gulf competition, while the first team, under Serbian coach Vladimir Ivic, focuses on domestic competitions, where they lead the ADNOC Pro League with 19 points after seven rounds with consistent performance and high attacking capabilities, thanks to the strong presence of Togolese striker Laba Kodjo and Moroccan Sofiane Rahimi. Meanwhile, Zakho, the home team and Al Ain's main rival for the top spot, has four points in its account, and the players know that a win in today's match will mean the team moves to the top before the return leg. The Gulf Football Association has appointed a Saudi refereeing team led by referee Mohammed Al-Huwaitsh, assisted by Khalaf Al-Shammari, Yasser Al-Sultan, and Mohammed Ismail, while Majed Al-Shammrani will be the video assistant referee, assisted by Hisham Al-Rifa'i. In the second match of the group, Sitra of Bahrain, with one point, will host Kuwait's Qadsia, who are at the bottom without points, at 19:00 UAE time on Khalifa Sports City Stadium.
"Al-Ain" leads its group with 6 points from wins over Sitra and Qadsia.
