KSC eye Asian glory

AFCL - Kuwait League champions Kuwait Sports Club (KSC) will be looking to translate their local success into AFC Champions League glory when they host Iran Pro League champions Saipa Kuwait stadium on Wednesday.

KSC are back-to-back champions of the Kuwait League and they are one point away from winning the title for the third time in a row, while they recently won the Kuwait Crown Prince Cup by defeating fellow AFC Champions League qualifiers Al Qadisiya.

But, while they may be recognised as one of the powerhouses of Kuwait football in the recent years, KSC failed to qualify from the group stage on their last two forays in the continental championship.

In their inaugural participation in 2005, they finished third in Group C, while in last year's competition they finished last in Group B behind quarter-finalists Al Hilal and Uzbekistan giants Pakhtakor.

The team have been drawn in a tough-looking group this season alongside Saipa, United Arab Emirates league champions Al Wasl and Iraq's Al Quwa Al Jawiya, but assistant coach Mohammed Abdullah is confident it will be third time lucky for his side.

"We have enough information about Saipa and hopefully we can use that in the match," said Abdullah. "They are one of the top teams in Iran and they have excellent players who are physically strong.

"It is important for us to win our first match and get the three points in order to go top of the group, as there will be only one team qualifying from the group and hopefully that will be us."

The team will be without Bahrain international striker Ala'a Hubail, who was not registered by the club along with compatriot Abdullah Al Marzooqi and Croatian coach Rodion Gacanin will rely on Angolan pair Mauro Maurito and Andre Macanga as well as Tunisian striker Ziad Al Jaziri.

Al Jaziri suffered a slight knock in the team's last match against Al Jahra although he might be available while defender Samer Al Martah is expected to replace Al Marzooqi at the heart of the defence.

Saipa arrived in Kuwait city on Sunday and Ali Daei, who was recently chosen to lead Iran's national team, will rely on the services of Malian duo Alou and Issa Traore in addition to Brazilian striker Adriano Alves.

Daei, who featured in 2006 AFC Champions League as a player with Saba Battery, knows how important the game is and will be hoping that his experience pays dividends on Wednesday.

"The game will not be easy," said Daei. "It will be hard because it will be the first match for both teams and Kuwait Sports Club is one of the top teams in Kuwait and they have talented players."

"We are looking for a win from this game because we want to finish top of the group," added the 38-year-old.

"It is hard to predict who will qualify from the group because all the teams have similar chances.

"Kuwait Sports Club have seven players who play for the national team and their coach is also the coach of Kuwait national team," said Daei who will meet lock horns with Gacanin again when Iran meet Kuwait in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at the end of the month.