The champions versus the inaugural winners. In the AFC Champions League's third edition, it is fitting that the only two sides to have lifted the trophy should meet in the final and decide who will represent Asia at the FIFA Club World Championship TOYOTA Cup Japan 2005. Al Ittihad travel to the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday for the first leg with Al Ain heading to Saudi Arabia on 5 November for the return as the two Gulf nations prepare to slug it out over 10 days.

A triumph already for Asia's west, there can be no denying these clubs deserve their place in the final. Al Ittihad destroyed their quarter and semi-final opponents, China's Shandong Luneng (8-3) and Korea Republic's Busan I'Park (7-0), in a devastating fashion only comparable with the second leg of last year's final when they came back from a 1-3 first game reversal to defeat Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma 5-0 in Korea and lift the trophy. 

Al Ain's progress has been far more helter-skelter. They squeezed through the group stage defeating Sepahan 3-2 in the make-or-break final match before scoring two late goals to break more Iranian hearts, Pas, in the quarter-final and qualify on away goals. The semi-finals, however, proved the Emirati side were running into form as they crushed Shenzhen Jianlibao 6-0 with all goals coming in the first leg. 

From Europe's east to Asia's west
There are plenty of interesting duels set to be played out in the two-legged final. Midfield mainstays Mohamed Noor and Subait Khater are bound to have their usual influence on proceedings while Africans Mohamed Kallon and Nwoha Onyekachi have hit top form just at the right time, but perhaps the most intriguing contest will take place within the heads of the two coaches.

Romanian Anghel Iordanescu and Czech Milan Macala have gained a wealth of knowledge in the game. Better known for leading national teams, Iordanescu rose to prominence leading Romania to the 1994 and 1998 World Cup finals before heading east, while Macala is no stranger to the region having fronted Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and most recently Oman.

Since taking over at the start of the year, things have not always run smoothly for the Europeans. Al Ittihad only finished third to Al Hilal in the domestic league last season before winning the Arab Champions League. Al Ain scraped through the competition's group phase by the skin of their teeth. Summer brought reconstruction chiefly in attack. The Jeddah side snapped up African pair, Kallon and Joseph-Desire Job, on loan, while the nine-times Emirati champions purchased Onyekachi and Panamanian Luis Tejada to bolster their forward lines. The new boys may have flattered at first but, helped by a strong local contingent, they are now shining on either side of the Gulf.

Iordanescu, who coached a number of players in the Al Ain side during his spell there in 2001, has now shaped a lethal counter-attacking side whose defensive proficiency was recently highlighted by the inclusion of goalkeeper Mabrouk Zayed and centre-back Hamad Al Montashari among the ten nominees for the AFC Player of the Year award. More than anything Macala, who led Saudi Arabia in 2000, seems to have instilled a never-say-die attitude that has propelled the UAE side to the greatest heights.

"Al Ittihad have been very consistent so far but I assure you we can play better. Teamwork is what it's all about," threatened striker Manaf Abushgeer, who, like many of the current squad, featured in last year's famous final.

"Al Ittihad are undoubtedly one of the best teams in Asia but those people who think that Al Ain will be an easy team to beat will see how we respond in the final," replied midfielder Shehab Ahmed to the charge that Al Ain would start the match as underdogs.

Because the original date (Monday 31 October) fell on one of the holiest days of Ramadan - the fasting season for Muslims, the second leg will now take place on Saturday 5 November.