FC Nasaf to aim to bounce back from opening-day defeat

Uzbekistan’s FC Nasaf will welcome the United Arab Emirates’ Al Wasl FC to Karshi Central Stadium on Tuesday with both teams aiming to bounce back from opening-day defeats in Group C of the AFC Champions League.

The Dragons were well beaten by Persepolis FC in Tehran as the Islamic Republic of Iran team ran out 3-0 winners, but have a strong record at home, where they remained unbeaten in the 2016 campaign despite being eliminated at the group stage.

Al Wasl FC looked to be heading for victory in their opening game of the tournament after Fabio Lima’s first-half goal put them one up against Al Sadd, only for the Qatari side to score twice late on and take all three points.

The hosts have never beaten Emirati opposition in six attempts, while Al Wasl have yet to face an Uzbek side on the continent so will be making their first trip to the Central Asian country.