Ebrahimzadeh positive amidst negative charge

AFC – ESFAHAN, Boss Mansour Ebrahimzadeh refuted accusations Zob Ahan are a negative team as the Iranians prepare to face Bunyodkor in Group B of the AFC Champions League at Foolad Shahr Stadium on Wednesday.

Zob Ahan trail the visitors by two points following a narrow win over Al Wahda and a creditable draw in Saudi Arabia against Al Ittihad.

With the firepower Bunyodkor have at their disposal Ebrahimzadeh – who was Luka Bonacic’s assistant when Sepahan reached the 2007 final – could be forgiven for setting up his team to frustrate the Uzbeks.

Ebrahimzadeh, though, underlined it is the situation not the opponents that dictate his tactics.

“I’ve been recently questioned why we played defensively against Al Wahda and even Al Ittihad, but I don’t believed I fielded the players to produce a defensive performance,” he said.

“What determines the kind of play is the circumstances of the game. It’s really no big deal for us to play defensively or offensively, what matters for us is to qualify for the next round.

“We are in a really difficult group and that means the qualifiers will be fighting tooth and nail to win the tournament.”

Ebrahimzadeh will be without Mohammad Salsali but is confident he can cover the defender’s absence as he urged his team to make full use of home advantage.

“Unfortunately I can’t use Salsali due to his injury but that doesn’t make me unhappy since I have other good players to replace him,” he added.

“They have a learned, thoughtful coach on the bench who’s really experienced in coaching but all my players have the understanding that should they wish to proceed to the next stage, they must make the best of their home games.

“So it’s a chance for us to accumulate more points in order to ensure a safe progression.”

Despite winning their opening two games, Bunyodkor boss Luiz Felipe Scolari warned his men not to underestimate their opponents.

“They are very powerful especially at home,” said the Brazilian.

“I have analysed their previous matches and know they can be really tough when playing at home.

“But I have three good foreign players in my squad who can be influential for us against Zob Ahan.

“They play in a very concentrated fashion at home, they don’t have big names but the team itself is a big name.”

Striker Denilson, meanwhile, believes Group B will go down to the wire.

“I believe all four teams in our group enjoy similar qualifying chances which means we will have to wait for the last match day to see who make it into the next round,” said the 33-year-old Brazilian.