“We have followed the performances of the other teams in the group and it is not easy,” said Sarkisyan, whose side arrived in Beirut one day before the match.

“This is the first time that we play in the AFC Cup as we previously represented Uzbekistan in the AFC Champions League.

“I think we have good experience in Asian competition and we prepared well for the campaign. Our main aim is to finish at the top of the group and qualify to the next round.”

After notching up a 1-1 draw with former AFC Champions League finalists Al Karama in a friendly last week, Al Ahed coach Fouad Sadd is in confident mood ahead of the clash with the five-time with the five-time Uzbekistan champions at the Beirut Sports City Stadium.

“We prepared for the match with a short camp in Syria where we played a friendly against Al Karama,” said Saad.

“We had a good 1-1 draw with them and the players are now ready for Neftchi.

“We have watched a video tape of Neftchi who prepared with a camp in the UAE. We have prepared the players for the game and I believe that we can get a positive result.”

Two-time Yemen league champions Al Tilal, meanwhile, will host Bahrain outfit Busaiteen at 22nd May Stadium in Aden as both sides look to make a positive start in their inaugural participation in the tournament.

“We have good players but our main focus is on saving our local season,” said coach Abdullah Fodel.

“We want to take advantage of our matches in the AFC Cup to help us in our local campaign.”

“This is our first Asian campaign and we don’t have any experience in the Asian competitions,” said Busaiteen coach Abdulaziz Ameen.

“However, we have good players who have the necessary experience to help us in the tournament.”

“The game against Al Tilal will be very hard because we are playing in Yemen and we don’t know much about our opponents. However, we will try our best to get back with a good result.”