Injuries hamstrung tired Esteghlal laments coach

AFC – TEHRAN, Esteghlal coach Samad Marfavi blamed fatigue and a string of injuries for Tuesday’s goalless AFC Champions League draw with Al Jazira at the Azadi Stadium.

Both side’s struck the woodwork in the closing stages of a frantic first half as Al Jazira’s Khalid Sebil saw a superb long range effort hit the crossbar before Esteghlal’s Fabio Januario struck the frame of the goal.

Following the fast paced first half which saw Esteghlal goalkeeper Mohammad Mohammadi and Al Jazira counterpart Ali Khaseif produce several superb saves, the chances dried up after the break as both side’s were forced to settle for a point after failing to convert their opportunities.

“It was a good game and my players played really well. I had predicted before the game that it would be a difficult game for us and it was really difficult. But we need to use our opportunities more to win games,” said Marfavi.

“I believe that my players were tired from the league and the cup games. In addition to that, I couldn’t use some other players of mine because they were having injury problems. I think these two reasons brought about the draw for us.”

Iran’s Esteghlal beat Al Ahli in their opening game and after Qatar’s Al Gharafa handed the Saudi Arabian side a second defeat, Marfavi’s side sit second in the table two points behind the Qataris, who top the table with a 100% record.

“Our goal for now is to proceed to the next round of the tournament,” added Marfavi.

“It is no big deal if we qualify as the table toppers or the runners-up, we are only thinking about progressing.”

After losing 2-1 at home to Al Gharafa last time out, Al Jazira’s Brazilian coach Abel Braga was pleased that the Abu Dhabi outfit could pick up their first point of the competition despite injury issues of his own.

“Esteghlal were strong in the air, and we were more effective on the floor. They could have even won the game if they continued to cross more balls,” said Braga.

“I had a list of five injured players who couldn’t help us against Esteghlal but despite this we played with three strikers which means we respected fair play and were not planning to defend throughout the game.”