Baimatov serves Iran warning

AFC – BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan Olympic team captain Azamat Baimatov has promised to go all out against fancied Iran in the second leg of their 2012 Olympic qualifiers on Wednesday at home.

The Central Asians surprised everyone by restricting their losing margin to 1-0 at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium and Baimatov believes the addition of overseas-based strikers will give some extra ammunition to the hosts.

The arrival of Anton Zemlyanukhin, who struts his stuff for Kazakhstan outfit Taraz, and Mirlan Murzaev, who plays for Israel club Hapoel Petah Tikva FC, will strengthen the Kyrgyz frontline.

“I think playing at home and in front of our fans will be an advantage for us. Our coaching staff and all the players believe that we have the abilities to upset them,” he told the-afc.com.

“As a captain of the team, I will do everything to build cohesion and improve the performance of the side.”

Baimatov will join Ukrainian outfit Carpathian after the Iran tie and also has plans to represent the country in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers to be played in Maldives from March 21.

Kyrgyzstan were placed in Group C alongside Cambodia, Maldives and Tajikistan.