Doha, Qatar: Al Ahli host Uzbekistan’s Andijan today at Al Thumama Stadium as Group B reaches its sixth and final round in the AFC Champions League Two 2025-26.
In the group’s other fixture, Bahrain’s Al Khalidiya travel to Turkmenistan to face Arkadag, the reigning AFC Challenge Cup champions.
Al Ahli lead the standings with seven points. Any slip-up, however, could allow Andijan to snatch direct qualification. Al Khalidiya hold the edge in their tie, but an Arkadag win would shift the balance in the group.
The Qatari side are chasing their second victory of the campaign after a 1-1 draw away to Arkadag on Matchday Five. Today’s match also marks the debut of new head coach Younes Ali, who replaced Croatian Igor Peščan following his dismissal.
Al Ahli are targeting a place in the knockout stage and will lean on the experience of Julian Draxler, Idriss Fettouhi, Éric Expósito, Oumar Sekou, Michel Vlap and goalkeeper Marwan Sherif.
Andijan sit on five points and remain firmly in contention as they continue their maiden AFC Champions League campaign. Founded in 1964, the Uzbek club will look to reward strong backing from their supporters.
Domestically, Andijan have won the Uzbekistan Cup once and lifted the Professional League title three times, in 2005, 2018 and 2022.
Coached by Russian Alexander Khomyakov, the visitors pose an attacking threat through striker Rustam Turdimurodov and Slovenian playmaker Altin Krežić.
The group stage concludes tomorrow. The Round of 16 will be played from February 10 to 19, followed by the quarter-finals from March 3 to 12 and semi-finals from April 7 to 15. The final is scheduled for May 16.
