AFC - Islamic Republic of Iran’s Persepolis meet Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia in a highly-anticipated 2017 AFC Champions League quarter-final clash on Tuesday in Oman.
For such an exciting encounter, we have picked two club legends to give their views on the mouthwatering meeting in Muscat.
Legendary Team Melli star Mehdi Mahdevikia began and ended his professional career as a player at Persepolis.
The former winger, who numbers over a 100 caps for IR Iran, was one of his nation’s leading players and enjoyed an impressive spell in Germany with Hamburg SV and Eintracht Frankurt.
Oman striker Imad Al Hosni spent three season at Al Ahli and was part of the side that finished runners-up at the 2012 AFC Champions League.
The prolific Al Hosni netted near to a goal every other game for the Jeddah club, whom he helped lift the Kings Cup twice.
Q: What have you made of your former clubs’ performances in the AFC Champions League so far?
Mahdevikia: I think Persepolis has given a good performance this season in the AFC Champions League and they are one of the strongest sides in the quarter-finals.
Al Hosni: Taking everything the team went through into account, Al Ahli are 100% on the right track in the AFC Champions League so far.
Q: How have you rated their work in the transfer market?
Mahdevikia: They did a good job in the transfer window. They have signed a central defender and a dangerous forward who had scored many goals in previous season. Persepolis has also new faces in the centre and left side of the pitch.
Al Hosni: Al Ahli now have the best group of foreign players in the league, they have signed some very good players, but the most important thing is for the players to prove their worth in the upcoming critical period. We are all eagerly waiting for the AFC Champions League.
Q: Which players have the potential to be game-changers?
Mahdavikia: This is such an important match. I think Persepolis’ strikers, specially Mehdi Taremi, can change the result.
Mehdi Taremi is Persepolis’ leading scorer in the 2017 AFC Champions League
Al Hosni: For me it would be Omar Al Soma.
Q: What are your predictions for the two matches?
Mahdavikia: Well, I’d like it if Persepolis can win both matches. But at the end of the day, getting to the next stage is more important to us and all the fans.
Al Hosni: It is not going to be an easy match at all, but Saudi clubs have an overall winning record over Iranian clubs. If Al Ahli are on their day and the players are physically, and mentally ready for the match, then they will progress to the semi-final.
Q: Do you think your former team has what it takes to go all the way and win the 2017 AFC Champions League?
Mahdavikia: Persepolis has key players in all areas of the pitch. And they are a very well organized team. I hope they can finally become Asian champions after so many years, although there is plenty of hard work left to do. Becoming AFC Champions League winners would make the Persepolis fans so happy. I'm really hopeful this year.
Al Hosni: The current Al Ahli squad definitely has the quality to do so, but right now, the most important thing is for coach Sergey Rebrov to get his tactics right and select the right players who can perform on the pitch. In my opinion, Al Ahli have the best group of local and foreign players in the competition.