AFCL - Sepahan coach Luka Bonacic wants his
team to put aside their disappointing 3-2 defeat in Al Ain two weeks and
reassert their position at the top of Group D with a home victory against
the United Arab Emirates league side on Wednesday.
A late goal by Frank Ongfiang saw the Hafzi Cup holders suffer their first
defeat in this year’s competition although the Esfahan side remained top of
the group due to their 1-0 away win against Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia in
their previous game.
With Sepahan the only Iranian representatives in the AFC Champions League
following the disqualification of Esteghlal, there is a sense of
determination to do the nation proud.
“We’re in our best possible condition for the game and having scrutinised
their weaknesses, we are confident that we can get a positive result from
the game and improve our hopes of sealing a spot in the knockout phase,”
said Bonacic.
“We’ve also done well at home recently and won our two most recent home
games in the Iran Pro League, outperforming leaders Esteghlal and
second-placed Saipa.
“Al Ain were fortunate to get their home win. They had a lot of luck in that
game while my players did not enjoy much fortune that night,” the Croatian
added.
With Moharram Navidkia expected to be missing due to his chronic injury
problems, Bonacic will be looking to Mohammed Nori and Iraqi international
Abdul Wahab Abu Al Hail to anchor the midfield once again.
Al Ain, who enjoyed a 1-0 win against Al Nasr in the UAE league last
Thursday, arrived in Iran on Monday with a full-strength squad as Humaid
Fakher returns after serving a one-match suspension.
The 2003 AFC Champions League winners got their campaign back on track with
their victory against Sepahan after managing only one point in their first
two Group D games but Hawar Mohammed knows that there is plenty of work to
be done if Al Ain are to maintain their record as the only team to reach the
knockout stage in every edition of the AFC Champions League.
"We played well against Sepahan in the first game and we are hoping for a
similar performance, said the Iraqi forward.
“Our game plan is always to win but that doesn't always happen in football.
Obviously, Sepahan will be a tough team to beat on their home turf and they
are certain to come out very hard against us but we are ready for them.
“Al Ain has always been a big team in the AFC Champions League. We all know
that and I'm sure that we will rise to this occasion."
