Asian CL Semi-Final (1st Leg) Preview: Al Ittihad - Nagoya Grampus

Saudi Giants Been Here Before

Ittihad have won their first four matches in the 2009-10 Saudi Pro League as they target their third AFC Champions League title in six seasons after securing back-to-back wins in 2004 and 2005.  

The Jeddah giants signed Tunisia striker Amine Chermiti and Argentine forward Luciano Leguizamon on loan in August and their arrival has proved crucial following a long-term injury to Saudi Arabia striker Naif Hazazi. 

Ittihad’s squad is filled with Saudi internationals, while the foreign talent includes Morocco forward Hicham Aboucherouane and Oman midfielder Ahmed Hadid.

Ittihad, unbeaten in this year’s competition, beat Uzbekistan Cup winners Pakhtakor 5-1 on aggregate after a 4-0 home win in the second leg and have won all four matches in the Saudi league so far this season.

All About Asia

Not only is this Nagoya’s first Asian Champions League campaign, it is their first match against West Asian opposition.

Unlike Ittihad, the Japan team have been in indifferent form domestically. Nagoya have long slipped out of title contention and currently sit in ninth place in the J-league as the season grows to a close.

That could be an advantage as the only thing on Nagoya’s minds at the moment is the final in Tokyo on November 7.

Team News

Al Ittihad

Ittihad have Saudi Arabia defender Redha Takar suspended for Wednesday’s match after picking up yellow cards in each of the quarter-final legs

Striker Naif Hazizi is still six months away from a return after a cruciate ligament injury...

Nagoya

Nagoya, meanwhile, have been boosted by the possible return of Japan striker Keiji Tamada for their clash with Ittihad at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium.

The 29-year-old suffered a rib injury in Japan’s 6-0 win over Hong Kong in an AFC Asian Cup qualifier two weeks ago, but travelled with the squad to Jeddah despite being left out of the side for Saturday’s 2-1 J.League loss at Yokohama F Marinos.

However, Nagoya coach Dragan Stojkovic has a selection headache in defence after Takahiro Masukawa was hospitalised with swine flu last week.

Masukawa’s absence is particularly unfortunate as it follows a back injury to Serb defender Milos Bajalica, who has been competing with Masukawa for a starting spot this season.  

Stojkovic could again select Akira Takeuchi, who paired up with Yoshida in Yokohama, where Yoshida scored the opener.

Yoshida, a member of Japan’s Olympic team last year, scored Nagoya’s second in the 3-1 win over Kawasaki in the quarter-final second leg. 

Goalkeeper Koichi Hirono is again expected to start as Japan international Seigo Narazaki remains out of action after breaking his finger in August.

Players To Watch

Al Ittihad - Amine Chermiti, The Tunisian striker is in good form and likes to score on the big occasion.

Nagoya

Josh Kennedy – The big Australian scored the all important goal at the quarter-final stage and has the height to cause problems for Al Ittihad. An away goal will delight the Aichi faithful.

Prediction

Al-Ittihad should have too much class for the visitors... 2-0 home win.