DOHA: Former Asian champions Al Sadd have begun their preparations for their AFC Champions League opener against Sepahan of Iran. Winners in 2011, Al Sadd will take on the Iranian side at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium next Wednesday. Former champion in Doha, Al Sadd have just come off a Qatar Stars League (QSL) clash against Al Khor which they won 4-2 on Thursday. Key defender Ibrahim Magid has recovered from a leg injury, the club said on Saturday. Al Sadd have been training closed doors for their Group D match which is a little over a week away. Hussein Amute, coach of Al Sadd, has been heading the training sessions of the former Asian champions.