Al-Wasl is aware that the task ahead will not be easy. They face a rival who has achieved a third consecutive victory over the 'Emperor' in continental competitions, making this match a special challenge aimed at ending the dominance of the ambassador from the land of the two rivers. Al-Wasl is looking to make history by reaching the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League when they host their Iraqi counterpart, Al-Zawraa, in the second leg of the second round of the continental competition. Al-Wasl is suffering from the absence of goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Wali, who is injured, which will place the responsibility for protecting the goal on the shoulders of veteran Khaled Al-Snani. Al-Wasl lost the first leg 2-3, which will force the team to enter the match with the slogan of winning by a two-goal margin to compensate for the first-leg defeat and secure a place in the quarter-finals.
