Al Gharafa, who clinched their third Qatar league title in six years on Saturday night despite a 5-3 loss to Al Shamal, are looking to build on last week’s 1-1 draw with Iraqi side Arbil but are wary of the Uzbek side, who are still smarting from a 1-0 home defeat against Al Qadsiya of Kuwait.

Captain Saad Al Shammari said his team had cut short the celebrations planned after their league triumph in an effort to focus on the challenge posed by the central Asian giants.

"We know about them (Pakhtakhor). We have played them in the past and know their style of play," said the mercurial defender.

"They have plenty of experience playing in the AFC Champions League and we are aware that it will not be an easy match as they are a very good side.

"They also lost their last match so we know they will be keen to make up for their defeat and we will have to be at our best to get the points.

"They also have a number of Uzbekistan international players and a lot of (international) experience on their bench," he added.

With the Qatar league title in the bag, the Al Gharafa skipper insists that the team have now set their sights on the continental competition.

"The team is well prepared and our goal now is to somehow take the three points on Wednesday," said the 27-year-old.

"We are keen to do well in this year’s AFC Champions League and we rested some of our main players from our last league match so that they feel fresh for our match against Pakhtakhor.

"A win against them will keep the players motivated to go all the way in the 2008 AFC Champions League."

Al Gharafa will be hoping that Araujo continues the remarkable goal scoring form that saw the Brazilian striker set a new record with 26 goals in the Qatar league this season, bettering the mark set by Argentine great Gabriel Bastistuta for Al Arabi three years ago.

However, Al Gharafa coach Marcos Paqueta is still waiting on the fitness of Iraq international striker Younis Mahmoud, who has bagged 15 goals for Al Gharafa in their current campaign but is yet to fully recover from a knee injury.

Pakhtakhor, who arrived in Doha on Tuesday morning, will be anxious to revive their fortunes after ominating their match against Al Qadisiya but losing to Ahmed Ajab’s stoppage-time winner.

The eight-time Uzbek league champions have had seven days’ rest since that heart-breaking loss and are likely to come out in determined mood against Al Gharafa.

Coach Ravshan Haydarov has only one major injury concern with left back Ilhomjon Suyunov doubtful for the match.

Wednesday’s game will be the first meeting between the two clubs since they clashed in the qualifying round of the inaugural AFC Champions League in October 2002.

The Qatari side, then known as Al Etehad, claimed a thrilling 4-3 win in the first leg in Doha but were eliminated by Pakhtakor after a 3-0 loss in the return game in Tashkent.