AFC - Despite missing two of his key midfielders for their crucial AFC Champions League clash with Al Ittihad on Tuesday, Tractorsazi Tabriz coach Toni is confident that his current side can get the better of his former club in the Group D encounter.

Toni (António José Conceição Oliveira), who managed Al Ittihad from 2010 to 2011, returns to face his old side at King Abdulaziz Sport City in a match that is likely to be crucial in determining the outcome of the group with only two rounds of matches remaining.

Al Ittihad are second in the group, one point behind leaders Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates and one in front of Tractorsazi and they host the Iranian side knowing that a win and a favourable result in the other game between Qatari side Lekhwiya and Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates could seal their passage to the Knockout Stage with a game to spare.

Their hopes have been further boosted by the absence of midfielders Farshad Ahmadzadeh and Mehdi Kiani, who have both appeared for Tractorsazi in all of their AFC Champions League matches this year but are suspended after receiving their second yellow cards during the group stage.

But Toni, who arrived with the team in Saudi Arabia last Saturday after a morale-boosting 3-1 win over Esteghlal in their final game of the Iranian league season is not willing to discount his side’s chances.

“It’s great to return to Saudi Arabia as I have previously coached Al Ittihad and they are one of the top teams not only in Saudi Arabia but also in Asia. The match will be very tough and the two sides are expected to give good performances,” said the Portuguese tactician.

“We will be missing some of our key players but our replacements are ready and they will hopefully give their best in order to get a positive result. Al Ittihad fans are good but we are here to get a positive result and their presence will not affect our players.”

Al Ittihad defeated Al Raed 3-0 in the quarter-finals of the King's Cup last Thursday, and after a disappointing season in which they finished sixth in the Saudi League, they are keen to make amends with a good run on the continental stage.

“The match is decisive for the two teams because the winners will get closer to qualifying for the knockout stage. Therefore, we are hoping to win against a strong team like Tractorsazi and hopefully the players will be ready for the match,” said Al Ittihad coach Khalid Al Koroni, who is set to welcome back defender Hamad Al Montashari following his return from suspension.

“I hope that the fans will show up in big numbers as they have shown in the previous matches. We are looking forward to finishing on top of the group and not only getting our ticket to the next stage as I believe we are ready to get the positive result that we are looking for.”