After being the first Indian club to create history by reaching the semifinals of the AFC Cup, Dempo SC find themselves on the doorsteps of another milestone. The reigning I-League champions will take on Al Sharjah in the play-off match of the AFC Champions League at the Sharjah Stadium on Wednesday.

Dempo need to put behind their mediocre performance in the ongoing I-League for the clash against a physically stronger UAE club. The winner will book a place in Group B of the AFC Champions League, where they will clash with Iran's Persepolis, Al Shabab of Saudi Arabia and Qatar outfit Al Gharafa.

"We need to play to our potential. We have lost some key players to injury but still I think we have it in us to beat them," Dempo coach Armando Colaco said. Dempo are expected to play Brazilian Rodrigo Silva in place of striker Mboyo Iyomi,.

"We have been doing well in the Asian competition. We did pretty well in the AFC Cup but that can't be compared to the Champions League. We have to play out of our skins," Indian international Mahesh Gawli said.

'The Kings', as Sharjah are called, have problems of their own. Poor form saw them bow out of the President's Cup and the UAE League Cup. Adding to their woes was the resignation of the Tunisian coach Youssef Al Zawawi, and they are currently placed seventh in the UAE Pro League.

Mihir Vasavda/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication