Neftchi will be confident of their chances as they go into the tie in strong form, with the Fergana-based side challenging for the Uzbekistan Super League title.

They will be playing their first AFC Champions League Elite game since meeting Al Karama in May 2007 but are unbeaten in their previous two meetings against teams from Iraq in the competition.

Air Force's defence of their Iraq Stars League title has gotten off to a slow start but the three-time AFC Cup™ champions will not let that derail them in their bid to kick off their continental campaign with a win.

Eight Iraqi sides have played in the AFC Champions League Elite and Air Force will be bidding to become the first to lift the trophy.