Tashkent: Al Hilal will be without five players including influential Brazilian striker Ailton when the two-time continental club champions kick-off their 2016 AFC Champions League campaign against Pakhtakor on Wednesday. In addition to Ailton, scorer of three goals in four ACL matches as the Riyadh giants reached the semi-finals of last year's tournament, Al Hilal will be also without Ailton's compatriot Diago, as well as defender Mohammed Jahfali, midfielder Nawaf Al Abid and forward Khalid Kaabi for the Group C clash at Pakhtakor Stadium. "Four or five players stayed in Saudi Arabia as they have a little injury. It is very difficult moment for us as we have three matches in a week," said Al Hilal coach Georgios Donis (pictured). Saudi Arabian King Cup winners Al Hilal won the Asian Club Championship in 1992 and 2000 and again produced a strong showing in the AFC Champions League last year by reaching the semi-finals having lost the 2014 final to Australia's Western Sydney Wanderers. And Greek coach Donis, who took charge of Al Hilal in March 2015, is relishing another campaign in Asia's premier club competition. "We are happy to begin the next season in the ACL having played in the final and semi-final of the tournament in the previous years," continued the former Blackburn Rovers and Panathanaikos midfielder. "We always have a maximum target. We want to try to win it. "I have watched Pakhtakor's games. Their strength is their team game and active play until the last chance and I expect a tough match. "We are favourites in the group, but I can only talk about our opponents after the first round of matches. We have no easy games in this competition." Al Hilal currently sit one point above fellow ACL side Al Ahli at the top the 2015/16 Saudi Professional League table despite their 1-0 loss to Al Taawon in their most recent fixture while Uzbekistan champions Pakhtakor have yet to begin their domestic season having won a second consecutive continental title last year. "Al Hilal is a good team and they have many experienced players. The quality of their foreign players is also good. We will try to put in a good performance and win the game. We have studied our opponents well and they play very good football," said Pakhtakor coach Numon Khasanov. "It will be my first match in the ACL and our aim is to play our football. This is this only way.to win the match We have discussed various situations with players and they are ready for all possibilities. "Some of our main players have moved to other clubs, but it is time for young players to prove themselves. They should show character and take the opportunity. I hope I can help them raise their level and to win tomorrow."
