AFCL - Foolad's preparations for Wednesday's
Group A clash with Al Qadisiya were hit with the news that Iraqi
international Emad Mohammad has left the Iranian club.
Mohammad's contract expired at the end of April and the 23-year-old striker
announced he would not remain with the 2005 Iran Pro League champions.
"It's clear that we are not going to advance to the knock-out stage of the
Champions League so that is why I decided to leave the club," said Mohammad.
"I have taken my decision and I'm not going to renew my contract with Foolad."
Foolad's campaign in the continental championship has been disappointing
with Nenad Nikolic's team picking up just four points in the first four
games to lie in third place in the group, five points adrift of group
leaders Pakhtakor.
Despite a 6-0 opening day win over Al Qadisiya, Foolad's form has suffered
since, with a draw against Al Ittihad and a pair of defeats against the
group leaders from Uzbekistan.
Nikolic's team is further weakened following the Croatian coach's decision
not to take national team boss Branko Ivankovic up on his offer to release
Iran internationals Ebrahim Mirzapour and Hossein Kaebi.
To add to the club's problems, Nigerian Daniel Okechukwu did not travel to
Kuwait for the game following a dispute with the coach, who branded the
striker's performances as "poor".
Al Qadisiya, meanwhile, go into the game looking to avenge that opening day
drubbing and will be on a high after a 1-0 win over Al Arabi saw them lift
the Crown Prince Cup.
Khalaf Al Salama scored the only goal of the game as Al Qadisiya guaranteed
their participation in next year's AFC Champions League with the victory.
However, Kuwaiti international defender Jamal Mubarak will miss his second
ACL game in row due to injury while Abdulrahman Al Zahamil is suspended
after picking up a second yellow card of the group stage in late 1-0 win
against Al Ittihad.
Burkina Faso striker Seydou Traore and Brazilian midfielder Lucio are both
injury doubts for Al Qadisiya, with Traore almost certainly out with a
hamstring problem.
