Esteghlal coach Amir Ghalenoei believes reputations will count for nothing when his side take on Al Ittihad.

The Saudi side have twice won the Asian Champions League in its current incarnation and along with Umm-Salal, Al Jazira and Esteghlal, form arguably the most competitive group in Group C of the west Asian section of this year's tournament.

Al Ittihad are favourites to qualify for the knockout round but former Iran coach Ghalenoei insisted the hosts who should be worried about his men.

"Al-Ittihad know they're playing a team with a special kind of determination, desire and commitment and whose players are the talk of Asia," he said.

"There are no easy matches in this group which is why it's the 'group of death.' Three of the teams are (currently) top of their league."

Al Ittihad coach Gabriel Calderon has been lifted by the return of Saud Kariri and young striker Naif Hazazi from injury while Hamad Al-Montashari , Ahmed Hadeed and Sultan Al-Nomari are battling to be fit.

Following a disappointing 2008 campaign, where they exited in the group stages, the club signed Emad Meteb, Moroccan Hicham Aboucharouane, Omani Ahmed Hadeed and Brazilian Renato Morais and Calderon is confident they can begin their campaign in the best possible fashion.

"We have built the squad with some key players and with the return from injury of a number of players I am sure that we will pick up three points at home," he said.

Umm Salal travel to Al Jazira and visiting coach Gerard Gili picked out Brazilian duo Rafael Sobis and Fernando Baiano, the leading scorer in the UAE league with 18 goals, as the main threats to the Qatar side's aspirations.

"They are a strong team without any doubt and have Sobis and Baiano, who can be dangerous to any opposition," said the Frenchman.

"We are happy to play in the continental championship and we deserved it because we are good enough to reach this level. We have done well in the domestic championship and we want to make an impact internationally."

Al Jazira coach Abel Braga is also expecting a testing evening at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium

"This game with Umm Salal will be tough for both teams for the simple reason it is the first match," he said.

"But our team is young and strong, and is exposed to such competitions. I am sure we can use the home advantage and get our campaign off to a winning start."