Al-Ittihad will have Steven Bergwijn available as they seek their first victory of the season in the AFC Champions League Elite.
The Jeddah club travel to face Uzbek side Neftchi on Monday, with the match taking place at the hosts’ stadium in the third round of the league phase.
Bergwijn has been included in Al-Ittihad’s squad after recovering from the intestinal inflammation that recently kept him out of action. The Netherlands winger missed Friday’s Saudi Pro League meeting with Al-Diriyah, which the Tigers won 2-0 in round 11.
His return is a significant boost for Al-Ittihad as they attempt to revive their campaign in Asia. The Saudi side have taken only one point from their opening two matches and are still waiting for their first win in the competition.
Al-Ittihad began with a 1-1 draw against Qatar’s Al-Shamal before suffering a 2-1 defeat by Shabab Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah.
Those results have left the club 11th in the league-phase standings with one point. Neftchi, meanwhile, are seventh on three points.
Monday’s fixture therefore presents Al-Ittihad with an opportunity to move up the table and end a disappointing start to their continental campaign. Their immediate opponents already hold a two-point advantage, while the Saudi side will be aiming to build on their domestic victory over Al-Diriyah.
The return of Bergwijn gives Al-Ittihad another attacking option for a match they must win if they are to make significant progress in the AFC Champions League Elite.
