Stadiums across the region will come to life with two encounters on Monday and four on Tuesday as seven teams from Groups A, B and C go into the final matchday of the group stage with dreams of joining Jordan's Al Jazeera in the West Asia Zonal Semi-Finals.
Group A
With just two points separating Group A leaders Al Wehdat from third-placed Hilal Al Quds, the final day of action in this group sees a three-way battle for qualification also involving current runners-up Al Jaish.
A direct clash at King Abdullah II Stadium in Amman sees hosts Al Wehdat playing neighbours Hilal Al Quds. A win for the Jordanians will seal their place in the Zonal Semi-Finals, while a draw or a victory for the visitors from Palestine means things will hinge on what transpires in the other group game.
Bahaa Faisal was the star of the show as Al Wehdat romped to a 6-2 triumph in the reverse fixture on Matchday Two, but Hilal Al Quds have not lost an AFC Cup game since. The clash in Amman holds a special meaning for the supporters due to Al Wehdat’s popularity amongst Jordanians of Palestinian origin.
The second fixture, kicking-off simultaneously at Al Muharraq Stadium in Bahrain, pits second-placed Al Jaish of Syria against already-eliminated Nejmeh SC of Lebanon. The Syrians are one point behind Al Wehdat and can boost their chances of reaching the next stage should they consign Nejmeh to a sixth consecutive defeat.
A Bassel Moustafa goal was the difference as Al Jaish snatched a 1-0 win over Nejmeh in Beirut on Matchday Two, and the Syrian side have only conceded a single goal in their subsequent three matches.
Al Jaish (SYR) vs Nejmeh SC (LIB) Venue: Al Muharraq Stadium, Arad Kick-off: May 14, 22:00 UTC+3
Al Wehdat (JOR) vs Hilal Al Quds (PLE) Venue: King Abdullah II Stadium, Amman Kick-off: May 14, 22:00 UTC+3
Group B
The qualified team(s) from Group B will be decided with a head-to-head encounter as the final matchday of the group pits leaders Al Jazeera against runners-up Kuwait SC on Tuesday.
Al Jazeera had reached the West Asia Zonal Final last year and remain unbeaten in five matches this campaign, a run that sees them top the group with 13 points, three points ahead of their opponents.
Having lost the reverse fixture 1-0 in Amman, three-time AFC Cup champions Kuwait SC need to overcome Al Jazeera with a bigger margin to book the top spot in the group. A draw or a win by one-goal difference might still be enough to propel the Kuwaitis to the next round as best runners-up, depending on results in other groups.
The second Tuesday fixture in the group sees third-placed Al Najma of Bahrain face bottom side Al Ittihad of Syria at the Bahrain National Stadium. Both sides have been eliminated already.
Al Ittihad are without a win in the group so far, with only one point to their name. They lost the reverse fixture 2-1 in Abu Dhabi. If they are to turn it around and win on aggregate, they can overtake Al Najma to finish the campaign in third place.
Kuwait SC (KUW) vs Al Jazeera (JOR) Venue: Kuwait Sports Club Stadium, Kuwait City Kick-off: May 14, 22:00 UTC+3
Al Najma (BHR) vs Al Ittihad (SYR) Venue: Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa Kick-off: May 14, 22:00 UTC+3
Group C
Two fixtures in this group get Matchday Six of the 2019 AFC Cup underway on Monday, with the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium hosting a top-of-the-table clash between current leaders Al Ahed and runners-up Malkiya Club, while 2014 champions Qadsia SC will chase qualification from Seeb where they face Al Suwaiq.
Al Ahed had reached the West Asia Zonal Semi-Finals last year, before losing to eventual champions Air Force Club. The Lebanese side are unbeaten this time around and need a draw at home in their final group game to advance to the next round.
Standing in their way are Malkiya Club. The provincial Bahraini club made their AFC Cup bow in 2018 and finished third in their group. A win in Beirut on Monday will send them to the next round for the first time in their history.
Qadsia SC returned to the AFC Cup after a three-year absence. They sit third in the group with their hopes of qualification still alive, albeit not in their own hands.
The Kuwaitis need to collect the three points and wait for a number of results across the three West Asia groups to go their way in order to grab the best runners-up ticket.
Al Suwaiq (OMA) vs Qadsia SC (KUW) Venue: Al Seeb Stadium, Seeb Kick-off: May 13, 22:00 UTC+4
Al Ahed (LIB) vs Malkiya Club (BHR) Venue: Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, Beirut Kick-off: May 13, 21:00 UTC+3
