Abu Dhabi, August 11 (QNA) - Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad qualified for the league stage of the AFC Champions League Elite after defeating hosts Al Jazira of the UAE 4-1 today in the preliminary round of the 2026-27 competition.

Dutchman Steven Bergwijn scored twice for Al Ittihad in the 12th and 38th minutes, while Algeria's Houssem Aouar added a third in the 54th minute and Marwan Al Sahafi scored in the 69th. Congolese player Simon Banza scored Al Jazira's goal in the 80th minute.

The result secured Al-Ittihad, champions in 2004 and 2005, their 14th appearance in the continental competition, while Al Jazira, who have previously made nine appearances, will miss the tournament for a fifth consecutive edition.

In another match in the same round, Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor advanced to the league stage after defeating visiting Jordanian side Al Hussein Irbid 3-0 in Tashkent. Dostonbek Khamdamov scored twice for the Uzbek club, in the seventh and 30th minutes, while Iraq's Bashar Resan added the third in the 52nd minute.

The victory secured Pakhtakor a place in this season's competition, while the Jordanian club will move into the AFC Champions League Two. (QNA)