AFC - Coach Toni Oliveira has declared Tractorsazi Tabriz will be playing for civic pride when they face Qatar’s Lekhwiya in their final AFC Champions League group fixture on Tuesday despite both team’s having already been eliminated.

Defeat a week ago to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad condemned Tabriz to a second straight group stage elimination, while a 5-0 reverse against Al Ain ended Lekhwiya’s aspirations of back-to-back knockout stage progression after they had reached the quarter-finals in 2013.

Instead, the duo will play for pride and third place in Group C at Tabriz’s Yadegar Emam Stadium.

"When we kicked off our campaign, I thought Lekhwiya and Al Ain were the two teams most likely to qualify from the group,” said coach Oliveira. “However, Al Ittihad made it to the next round with Al Ain instead because the Saudi side played professionally and won their games at home.

“So, although our match is between sides that have no more chance of making it to the knockout stage, we will play with very good spirit and motivation.

“We will play our best to defend the credit and honour of our team and city. For this match with Lekhwiya we will still have the same spirit and purpose as we’ve had for the past games.”

Tabriz, however, will be without defender Milad Fakhreddini and Iran Pro League top scorer Karim Ansarifard due to suspension.

Despite finishing sixth place in the Iran Pro League, Tabriz have secured their place in the 2015 competition after winning the Hazfi Cup with a 1-0 victory over Mes Kerman in February.

“Fortunately next year we are also in the AFC champions league, this continental competition is a very big test for us,” added Oliveira.

For opposite number Eric Gerets, the dead-rubber will serve as good preparation for Lekhwiya’s upcoming Crown Prince Cup final against El Jaish on Sunday.

Crowned Qatar Stars League champions last month, Lekhwiya have already secured their place in next year’s continental competition.

"We know both teams are out of the competition, so it’s a good opportunity to prepare ourselves for the domestic cup final and we want to go home with a good result,” said coach Gerets, whose side were held to a 0-0 draw in their first meeting with the Iranian side.

“Our level was not high enough in the group stages of the AFC Champions League, so that's probably the main reason we haven't made it to the next stage.

“The fact that Tractorsazi didn't finish in the first position of the Iran Pro League really surprises me, because the performance they put out against us in our first meeting was really great.

“I hope tomorrow we will see a good football match from both teams."