FOOTBALL – BAHRAIN’S Al Khaldiya are back in action in the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two this week when they face off with Air Force SC of Iraq on Wednesday.
The Bahrainis are scheduled to depart today for Baghdad ahead of their upcoming contest, which will be played at Al Madina International Stadium in the Iraqi capital. The game is scheduled for a 9pm kick-off, Bahrain time, on Wednesday, and it will be the third assignment for both sides in Group B of the competition’s preliminary round.
Khaldiya have been gearing up for the match locally under the supervision of head coach Ali Ashoor.
They have so far split their first two outings in the tournament. The back-to-back Nasser bin Hamad Bahrain Premier League champions first bowed to Al Taawoun FC of Saudi Arabia 2-3 at home in their opening fixture in September, but then bounced back with a 1-0 away triumph over Altyn Asyr FC of Turkmenistan earlier this month.
Taawoun host Altyn Asyr at Wolves Park in the Saudi city of Buraidah in this evening’s other fixture, also scheduled for a 9pm start.
Khaldiya are currently third on the Group B standings with three points. Air Force are in solo first place with six after winning both their games to date. Taawoun are just ahead of the Bahrainis, also on three points, while Altyn Asyr are in last place with zero markers.
The ACL Two is the second-tier club competition of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Rebranded from the AFC Cup, it is one level below the AFC Champions League Elite and one above the AFC Challenge League.
Following Wednesday’s game, Khaldiya host the Iraqis in Bahrain on November 6 before playing their penultimate fixture of this stage against Taawoun in Buraidah on November 27. Khaldiya then wrap up their Group B campaign against Altyn Asyr at home on December 4.
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