A keen and close contest is on the card as Bahrain’s Al Muharraq take on Dempo in the third round of the group ‘A’ AFC cup, at Nehru stadium, Margao, on Wednesday.

The visitors who arrived two days back had an hour long practice session on Monday at VARCA ground to get used to the weather conditions here.

“We have no problem with the hot and humid conditions as we are used to it at home. My boys have come well prepared and all raring to go,” stated coach Salman Ahmed Rashed Shareeda.

Muharraq, who are presently leading the table with four points have seven players representing their national team which had beaten Japan recently and also comprised two Brazilians and a Moroccan as their foreign recurits.

Juliano and Rico are the Brazilian midfielder and  forward respectively while Jamal is a Moroccan defender. Ali Hasan, goalkeeper, will lead the side.

Dempo, who are one point behind Muharraq have three points from two matches, are all geared up for the challenge.

“We have no idea of our opponent but the fact that they have beaten up Sur club of Oman to whom we lost, they are going to be tough team to beat,” Dempo’s coach Maurico Afonso said.

“Our aim is not to loose, as it will make things difficult for us . So we are going to start cautiously,” Afonso added.

East Bengal confident

After a win in their last match, Kolkata giants East Bengal would look to continue the good work when they take on Jordanian league champions Al Wihdat in a crucial away match in Amman.

The Federation Cup champions are a confident lot after their solitary goal win at home over Ahli Sana’a of Yemen on March 18.

The victory was a timely boost after the none-too-impressive I-League campaign in which the red and gold brigade were flirting with relegation at one stage. With three points from two matches, East Bengal are second among four teams in Group B behind Al Safa of Lebanon, who have four points from one win and a draw. Al Wihdat, on the other hand, have two points from two games after a 1-1 away draw with Ahli Sana’a and a come-from-behind 3-3 result at home against Safa.