Determined Daei targets strong finish

Abu Dhabi: Piroozi and Al Wahda may have nothing at stake but the Iranian side’s boss Ali Daei still sees plenty of value in their final 2011 AFC Champions League Group C encounter.

Although Piroozi beat leaders Al Ittihad 3-2 in Tehran last week, it was not enough as Bunyodkor saw off Al Wahda by the same scoreline at the JAR Stadium, edging out Daei’s side due to a better head-to-head record.

So while the top two slug it out in Jeddah to see who will earn a home tie in the last 16 Piroozi will try to avoid defeat in Abu Dhabi and the ignominy of finishing bottom of the group.

For Daei, though, there is more to the encounter.

“Since there is no chance for both teams the match may not be played at the usual level but both teams are strong,” he said.

“We see this game as a good preparation for the league and cup games in Iran and in that respect, it will be a good encounter.

“We have a big game coming up against Sepahan in our cup competition and from that perspective, this game will be important for us.

“We are currently in fourth place in the league and our aim is to finish in the top three and earn qualification for the AFC Champions League. We have a good chance to do that.”

Commenting on Piroozi’s 2011 AFC Champions League showing, Daei added: “We should have won our game against Bunyodkor. We missed a lot of chances and made mistakes and that cost us a spot in the next round.”

Piroozi drew 0-0 at the home of the Uzbek side before losing the return game 3-1 and Daei rued those missed chances.

“If we had drawn that match then we would have been here trying to qualify for the knockout phase of the competition,” Daei concluded.

Piroozi forward Vahidi Hashemian added: “ It’s good preparation for the next few domestic games and unfortunately we had bad luck otherwise we could have qualified. Both sides will be looking to sign off with a win so it will be a good match.”

Al Wahda boss Josef Hickersberger also promised full commitment from his men.

“We have a difficult situation ahead of us because we are already out of the ACL but nevertheless I have to make sure all players give their best in the last match,” said the former Austrian international.

“Piroozi are a very strong, attacking team and we have to fight for a good result. That’s very clear for all of us.

“We have some players that are injured and I’m not sure if they will be fit in time for the game. Ismail Matar, Haidar Alo Ali, Mahmoud Khamis and Khalid Jalal couldn’t train on Sunday but I hope some of them will be fit.

“They are fit to play but not 90 minutes, they are fit to play maybe one hour. I cannot start with too many players unfit to play 90 minutes. If I start with three or four players that are unfit we will be with big problems.”