AFC - Two-time champions Al Ittihad return to the AFC Champions League on Wednesday as Juan Verzeri’s Saudi Arabian King’s Cup winners travel to Iran to face Tractorsazi Tabriz at Yadegar Emam Stadium.

Despite finishing a distant seventh in the Saudi Pro League last season, 2004 and 2005 champions Al Ittihad secured a place in the AFC Champions League for the ninth time with a 4-2 win over Al Shabab in the King’s Cup final having missed the previous edition.

Al Ittihad also lost 2-1 to Korean side Pohang Steelers in the 2009 final and reached the semi-finals in both 2011 and 2012.

“We have hopes to gain a good result when we take on Tractorsazi Tabriz on Wednesday afternoon. I know a lot of people are awaiting the opening match of their favourite side and great matches are usually held in full stadia,” said Al Ittihad coach Verzeri ahead of the Group C opener.

“We have taken our time to watch and study Tractorsazi’s last match. We know their weakness falls in defense and we’re going to use the same area to grab the initiative.

“We have two foreign-based players, but our playing style would be entirely Arabic. I know they will display pure Iranian football, but we have already devised our methods to encounter a very good team like Tractorsazi Tabriz.”

Tractorsazi, in comparison, are making only their second AFC Champions League appearance following last year’s debut.

The team from the north-western city of Tabriz made a good start last year with a 3-1 win over Al Jazira of the United Arab Emirates and a 3-3 draw at Qatar’s El Jaish, but then lost their last four games to finish bottom of their group.

But with Tabriz enjoying some of the most passionate support in Iran who regularly fill Yadegar Emam Stadium, coach Toni Oliveira is hoping that famed support can provide the added incentive on Wednesday.

“We need to be fully prepared to beat Al Ittihad in the opening match. We know it won’t be easy to face such a strong team, but we’re determined to display our best performance when we lock horns with the Saudis. They are a very speedy team and have very good players especially on the left wing,” said Tractorsazi coach Oliveira.

“We’ve got a well thought-out plan for Wednesday’s encounter as our aim is to come out winners of this match.

“The fans here in Tabriz are marvelous. Our club is known for its supporters and there’s no doubt those who have kept egging us on throughout the entire season will fill up the venue on Wednesday afternoon so we can celebrate our first win together.”