<div><img style="" class="img-responsive" src="https://www.qsl.qa/sites/default/files/%D8%AA%D8%AF%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A8%D…; alt="Alt" title="" /></div>
<p>Newly-crowned QNB Stars League champions Al Sadd resume their 2019 AFC Champions League Group D campaign with an away fixture against Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor on Tuesday, 9th April. The kick-off is at 17:00 at the Pakhtakor Central Stadium in Uzbek capital Tashkent.</p><p>Al Sadd lifted their record-extending 14th Qatar league crown last week with one round of action remaining. They took an unassailable lead over closest challengers Al Duhail following their 7-2 victory over Al Ahli, their 17th in the tournament.</p><p>The Wolves, semifinalists in 2018 AFC Champions League, are currently third in the standings, having opened their campaign with a 2-0 defeat against Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia before beating Iran’s Persepolis 1-0.</p><p>Al Sadd are on a high and that confidence should help them stand in good stead in Tashkent. The squad includes the likes of Meshaal Barsham, Pedro Miguel, Jung Woo-Young, Xavi Hernandez, Ali Asad, Hassan Al Haydous, Baghdad Bounedjah, Hamed Ismail, Tarek Salman, Boualem Khoukhi and Akram Afif.</p><p>First-choice goalkeeper Saad Al Dossari and left-back Abdulkarim Hassan, the best player in Asia, will be missing in action as they are recovering from injuries.</p><p>However, the return of Xavi from an injury layoff adds strength to the side.</p><p>Meanwhile, Marat Bikmaev scored the two goals that helped Pakhtakor claim the summit of Group D, drawing Persepolis 1-1 and beating Al Ahli 1-0.</p><p>Al Ahli are second in the group on three points and Persepolis have one.</p>