Al-Ahli head coach Marino Pušić says his team is ready to start their AFC Champions League Elite title defense against Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor tomorrow in the opening round of the league phase at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.

At a press conference at the stadium today, Pušić said the match marks the start of the continental campaign and that such games are intense and played against quality opposition, adding that home support would give the team an extra lift in pursuit of a good result.

Forward Francisco Trincão said he was eager to put in a strong performance and help the team get off to a positive start in the competition.