Shurtan earned a trip to Jordan as runners-up in Group B after edging out holders Al Ittihad for the second qualifying spot.

“I think tomorrow we will see an interesting game that should please the crowd,” said former Spartak Moscow and Pakhtakor midfielder Gess.

“The fact that the crowd will support the local team will not affect us. Crowded stands should only help true professionals to express themselves fully.

“We have a lot of players with international experience, so there will be nothing new for them tomorrow.”

However, Gess arrived in Amman with a depleted squad.

“We will have to play without four key players ,” he added.

“They all have injuries. Forward Shakhboz Erkinov, for example, is still in hospital after surgery on a hernia.

Shurtan may have reached the knockout stage in their debut AFC Cup campaign but Gess is keen for his team not to stop at the last 16.

“We'll go out looking for a victory,” he insisted.

“I will not predict the score, but I will say that we only play to win. I have watched a few DVDs of Al Wehdat’s matches and I think we will face a very strong side.

“Remember that Al Wehdat have completed a double, winning both the Jordan championship and Cup.”

Al Wehdat comfortably topped Group D to qualify but coach Dragan Talajic was equally complimentary about Wednesday’s opponents.

“The strength of Shurtan is shown by the fact that the team managed to take second place in one of the toughest groups,” he said.

“Knocking out the defending champions is a great success. However, we are not going to surrender without a fight. In addition, we are playing match at home, so we just have to give our fans another celebration.

“Qualifying for the quarter-finals will be a great end to the season in which we became both the league champions and Cup winners.”