Tractor, who qualified after finishing fourth in the 2022-23 Iran Professional League, will need to bounce back after defeat to Persepolis FC in a league match last week while Sharjah will be confident of its chances after two big wins this past week.
The last appearance for Tractor in the AFC Champions League came in 2021 when it reached the Round of 16 for the second time in its history, after 2016.
Its second-place finish in the group came courtesy of four points collected from the two clashes against its upcoming opponent, Sharjah.
The side from Tabriz needs another positive result against the Emiratis to return to the group stage for the seventh time.
Sharjah, who qualified as the 2022-23 UAE President’s Cup winner, advanced to the playoffs after brushing aside Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh in the preliminary round last week with Luan Pereira scoring both goals.