Ghalenoei: No slip ups against Shabab!

AFC – ESFAHAN, Sepahan coach Amir Ghalenoei knows his side can ill afford to slip up against Al Shabab as they look to maintain their hopes of securing top spot in Group C of the AFC Champions League.

The two sides meet at Foolad Shahr Stadium on Tuesday with Iranians Sepahan knowing a victory could potentially see them climb to the top of the standings.

A defeat, however, could end their chances of claiming one of the top two places should Uzbeks Pakhtakor defeat Al Ain of the UAE in the group’s other game.

Sepahan head into the match in good confidence having won their last home game against Pakhtakor and Ghalenoei (pictured) is hopeful his players can continue their recent good form.

“We have been training well after our game against Pakhtakor and fortunately my players are both mentally and physically ready for tomorrow’s clash,” he said.

“I hope Al Shabab will not play a defensive style with too many players packed in defence like Pakhtakor. However, if they decide to play like that I have some plans to react appropriately.

“I do hope we won’t lose our scoring opportunities against Al Shabab like what happened in the game against Pakhtakor.”

Like Sepahan, Saudis Al Shabab have lost only once so far in the tournament but have won two and drawn another to top the standings with seven points.

Ghalenoei believes Brazilian Marcelo Camacho and Angola international Amado Flavio will be the two dangermen for the visitors and to stop them would increase their chances of victory.

“Unlike the rest of Arab teams, Al Shabab plays almost with the same style both inside and outside their country,” he added.

“They benefit from the contribution of two key players Marcelo Camacho and Amado Flavio. We know them quite well and have devised clever plans to stop them and cut down their interactions in the field.

“We have shown good quality, but we have not been fortunate enough to grasp all the points. I am hopeful we can beat the Saudis to prevent our qualification chances going up in smoke.”

Al Shabab boss Jaime Pacheco is expecting a difficult game but believes he has done the sufficient homework on Sepahan to be able to win the tactical battle and secure all three points.

“All four teams still have the chance to qualify and this makes the game a tough one for both sides,” he said.

“We rate them highly, but the only thing we are looking for is the victory against Sepahan.

“We have now gained good knowledge about them and we can now be thinking about the win more realistically.”