Pohang – Zobahan (2nd Leg Preview)
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improving Iranian outfit Zobahan in what is undoubtedly the match to watch on the continent this week.
Caretaker manager Park Chang-Hyun has promised, “You will see a better tempo from us in the second leg. The team will put up a superb performance particularly in the second half.”
The club have meanwhile offered free entry for Pohang fans into ‘The Steelyard’ in order to drum up as much local support as possible, as veteran striker Seol Ki-Hyun prepares to give the K-League outfit the edge they need.
“It was really disappointing to miss out on the World Cup and, for a while, I found it difficult to accept the situation,” Seol told www.the-afc.com.
“I came to the K-League because I really wanted to play in the World Cup, but now I want to win the AFC Champions League with Pohang.”
The Steelers will be looking to stir up memories of that famous quarter final victory over Uzbek outfit Bunyodkor in last season’s ACL, where they overtuned a 3-1 deficit by crushing their opponents 4-1 at home.
On The Rise
An emerging force in Iranian football, Zobahan have embarked on an exciting run in Asia and were impressive in their first leg against the defending champions.
They’re in form domestically where they sit atop the Iran Pro League and will look to the likes of international striker Mohammad Khalatbari, who returns from suspension after missing out on the first leg.
Zobahan also boast the talents of the prolific Mehdi Rajabzadeh, who netted the decisive penalty in the first leg and scored four goals for former employers Mes Kerman in the group stages of the ACL this season.
Brazilian Igor Castro was similarly impressive last time out, scoring the opener against Pohang and winning the penalty converted by Rajabzadeh and he will be looking to again have a big influence.
It’s in defence though that this tie could be won and lost and Zobahan will be counting on the fact that they have the best defensive record in this year’s ACL, with only four goals conceded in eight games.
