Al Gharafa will face Persepolis of Iran in the fourth round (West Zone) of 2024-2025 season AFC Champions League Elite at the Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai on Monday, November 4, 2024. The kick-off is at 7pm.

Al Gharafa aim to secure a victory against the Iranian team following their defeat to Al Wasl of the UAE, where they lost 1-2 in their encounter at Al Bayt Stadium in the third round.

The Asian Football Confederation had decided to relocate the match between Persepolis and Al Gharafa to Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai, UAE.

This match holds significant importance for The Cheetahs as the technical staff under Portuguese coach Pedro Martins has adopted the motto ‘No time to rest’ after their victory over Al Arabi in Week 9 of Ooredoo Stars League. They have been diligently training at their stadium in preparation for the crucial match in Dubai, where they seek to secure a win and earn three points.

Currently, Al Gharafa occupy the seventh position in West Zone, having accumulated three points from a single victory against Al Ain, alongside two losses – to Esteghlal of Iran in the first round and Al Wasl in the third.

Conversely, Persepolis finds themselves in 10th place with one point from a draw and two losses.

This match presents an opportunity for Al Gharafa to enhance their standing in the table. They are bolstered by a strong performance and positive results, including a recent draw against Al Duhail, which ended in a goal apiece, followed by a 3-1 victory over Al Arabi.

The technical staff of Al Gharafa have been focused on developing a comprehensive strategy for this highly-anticipated match during their main training session, while also finalizing the starting line-up.