Al Jazira and Al Ain play their final AFC Champions League groups games, before looking ahead to contrasting missions in the coming weeks. Al Jazira face Group A leaders Foolad Mobarekeh Sepahan with the Iranian club aiming to top the group and play their last 16 knock-out match at home. Similarly, Al Ain take on Group F leaders Nagoya Grampus of Japan with the visitors targeting top spot. While the two visiting clubs will pursue their ambitions in the ACL, Al Jazira and Al Ain turn their attention to the UAE Pro-League. Al Jazira are leading and just need a win against Al Wasl in their next league engagement to be crowned UAE champions for the first time ever. In stark contrast, Al Ain, who have won the league for a record nine times, are in tenth place and in danger of being relegated. At yesterday's pre-match press conference, Sepahan coach Amir Ghalenoei said his team would not be taking Al Jazira lightly despite their poor show so far. "We beat them 5-1 at home but that is history," the Iranian said. "Al Jazira is one of the best teams in this group and should have been the first to qualify. But they had some poor luck so we will not take them lightly. "It is a very important game for us as and we want to win and top the group, which will help us play at home." Sepahan and Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal are on 10 points each and the Saudi side takes on Qatar's Al Gharafa, who have seven points in the other Group A encounter tonight. Two goals Sepahan have virtually won their second successive league title back home, needing one point from the remaining two games. "When we started out at the beginning of the season we had two goals in mind, the Iranian League and the ACL," Ghalenoei said. "We are almost league champions and are within touching distance and now we also want to top this group and play at home." Meanwhile, Al Jazira coach Abel Braga said: "Jazira is out of the ACL but Al we still have to play in the Pro-League with an important match coming up. "There will be no pressures on my players. We will be looking to play some of them who have not got a chance to play." Braga fielded only five regulars in their last ACL match and he is likely to do the same tonight, giving his second string some continental experience. In Al Ain, the hosts are keen to finish their ACL commitments and focus on avoiding relegation. A 4-0 win against Al Ahli three days ago has boosted their chances and coach Alexandre Gallo said his side were keen to build on that. "We will field some youngsters to gain experience," he said. "But we are concentrating on a big game in the UAE Pro-League next against Al Dhafra. We have to win that to be safe. From : Gulf News
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