AFC Champions League Round of 16: UAE’s Al Jazira to Host Persepolis of Iran
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Al Jazira of the UAE will host 2017 semi-finalist Persepolis of Iran in the first leg of the AFC Champions League Round of 16 at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Monday.
The Emirati side ended a 15-game winless run in the continental competition in February and went on to finish runner-up in Group A with strikers Ali Mabkhout and Romarinho netting eight of their nine goals between them.
Al Jazira’s domestic form has been poor of late as they ended its UAE Pro League season with a 4-1 defeat to Al Wahda. Since beating Al Gharafa in the group stage in early April, the Abu Dhabi side has lost four of the past five matches, the-AFC.com wrote.
Persepolis wrapped up its second successive Iranian Professional League title some time ago and has been in fine form on the continent too, beating Al Sadd three weeks ago to finish top of Group C having won four of their six games.
Indeed, the Tehran side has not conceded on the continent since a Matchday Two defeat to Al Sadd and boast the meanest defense in the competition. Captain and key defender Jalal Hosseini, though, is suspended for the clash.