Ghalenoei joy as Sepahan edge ‘six pointer’

AFC – ESFAHAN, A thoroughly relieved coach Amir Ghalenoei could not contain his delight after Ahmad Jamshidian’s early goal handed Sepahan a crucial 1-0 win over Al Shabab at the Foolad Shahr Stadium and put the Iranians back on course for a place in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League.

Jamshidian’s volley after nine minutes settled a contest that saw both sides squander a number of clear-cut opportunities as Sepahan climbed to second in Group C, one point behind leaders Pakhtakor and, more importantly, one ahead of their Saudi rivals with one round of matches to go.

“I am more than glad that we have won this crucial game,” said Ghalenoei.

“I think this win is as valuable as bringing us six points. Had we converted all our scoring chances, we would have won the game with five goals difference.”

“They had some opportunities too, especially at the end of the game. The more they pressurised, the more I felt I was going to have a heart attack.

“If we’d converted our chances at the beginning of the game, we wouldn’t have had to worry about their chances at the end of the game.”

Hadi Aghily missed a first-half penalty and Emad Mohammed hit the post in the second period for Sepahan while keeper Mehdi Rahmati made a number of crucial saves to preserve the home side’s lead.

“It’s true that Aghili missed a penalty today but he will still take them,” added Ghalenoei.

“I should really thank Mehdi Rahmati too, who played one of his best games of his career.”

Ghalenoei also believes his current side can emulate their predecessors in 2007, who made it all the way to the final before losing out to Urawa Reds.

“If we don’t waste our opportunities, we can be among the last four teams in the tournament this year,” he said.

“What we are looking for next is to win at Al Ain so that we can make sure we will qualify for the next round.”

Al Shabab coach Jamie Pacheco, meanwhile, felt his side did not deserve to come away empty-handed after seeing Ali Ataif waste two glorious opportunities in the second period.

“With all due respect to Sepahan, I shall say they didn’t deserve the victory as we had many chances but couldn’t score,” he said.

“At the beginning of the game, we were doing our best to stop Sepahan’s attacks but one mistake decided the result.

“I still believe that the qualification chances are wide open for Sepahan, Al Shabab and Pakhtakor. Anyway, we have to wait and see what happens on the last match day.”