Skocic strikes defiant note

AFC – ESFAHAN, Al Nassr boss Dragan Skocic struck a defiant note as his side look to upset the odds and beat last year’s AFC Champions League finalists Zob Ahan on their own turf.

The Saudis face their Iranian opponents at the Foolad Shahr in the last 16 of the 2011 AFC Champions League eager to spring a surprise over their hosts.

“The fact that they were runners-up of the tournament last year is in the history of the Champions League now,” said Skocic.

“That means we are not afraid of them because we play much better if our opponents are stronger and play better.”

However, Skocic admitted it will be no easy task to reach the quarter-finals.

“I know they are very strong, especially up front , and their powerful offence is a bit worrying for me,” he said.

“I respect the other team a lot but we are in Esfahan to do what we can to win the game. We are in the knockout stage of the competition and it means we have only one chance to go to the next round.

“The more and the harder we train, the better the chance we have to win the game tomorrow. I believe we can defeat them at home, we have already beaten Esteghlal. I am well aware of the strengths and weaknesses of Zob Ahan and I am sure we can use good strategies to win the game.”

Hossein Mahini is suspended for the clash and Zob Ahan boss Mansour Ebrahimzadeh hopes his side can use home advantage to its full against Al Nassr.

“We are the hosts and should get the best of our hosting conditions to win the game,” he said.

“We should play in a way that everybody is satisfied with the performance and effort we put in the game.

“This will be a very tough game because the winner goes through to the next round and the losers are out.

“Al Nassr are a very intelligent team and they know how to play well against powerful teams. It doesn’t matter which position the two teams have finished in their domestic league, this is a different tournament and all teams make their best efforts to survive.”