ACL Group A Preview

AFC – TABRIZ, Newly appointed Al Jazira coach Luis Milla admits that he has little experience of coaching in Asia but the Spaniard is looking forward to his first match at the helm of the United Arab Emirates side in the AFC Champions League on Tuesday.

Milla’s new side will kick off their Group A campaign with a visit to Iran to face tournament newcomers Tractorsazi Tabriz, just days after he was appointed to replace Brazilian Paolo Bonamigo as head coach of the Abu Dhabi club.

The UAE President’s Cup winners reached the Round of 16 a year ago and they will be hoping for a good result at the Yadegar Emam Stadium to kickstart this year’s campaign although Milla expects the Iranian side to raise their game for their debut in the competition.

“It is an important game for us,” said the former Spain Olympic and U-21 coach (pictured).

“Tractorsazi are strong and they are playing for the first time in the AFC Champions League which will give their players more motivation. And of course they are playing against a good team like Al Jazira which will give them even more motivation.

“Fortunately, we don’t have any injured or suspended players for the match and we will play at full strength against Tractorsazi.

“I haven’t had any experience of coaching in the Emirates but I have enough experience in coaching. I have worked with Spain’s U-21 national team so I think I have the necessary experience.

“I will do my best to succeed in this team and fulfil our ambitions.”

Experienced Portuguese coach Toni Oliviera is hoping that Tractorsazi’s debut in the AFC Champions League will be a memorable match for the club’s players and fans.

“Of course it is be a new event for everyone and a hard test to take but it is not a good reason to lose motivation especially as we will be at full strength tomorrow,” said the Tractorsazi boss.

“It is going to be a tough match for us, but I am sure that with the support of the fans we have the ability to gain the victory.

“I am sure that the presence of our fans will make a difference. They will support us as well as respect our opponents and if we would grab the win, we will celebrate.

“We still have games to come against the clubs from Qatar and Saudi Arabia so we shouldn’t take the result of this match too seriously. But we have planned well for this game and I am sure the victory will be ours.”

The other Group A game on Tuesday will be played at the King Fahd International Stadium, where Saudi champions Al Shabab entertain another tournament newcomer, Qatari side El Jaish.

Al Shabab, who reached the Semi-Finals of the AFC Champions League three years ago, will be buoyed by a 3-2 win over league rivals Al Hilal 3-2 last Monday and the return of forward Muhannad Asiri after he recovered from a tooth infection.

“We are ready for the match as we have prepared well recently,” said their Belgian coach Michel Preud’homme. “We are currently competing well in the Saudi League but this will not prevent us from also putting on a good performance in the AFC Champions League which is a good reward for us after the hard work that we did in the league last year.

“The match against El Jaish will not be easy as we will be playing against a strong team with good players and they are an organised side. But it is our aim is to get the three points in order to get a good start in this tournament.”

El Jaish arrived in Riyadh on Sunday after recording a 1-0 win over Al Arabi in the Qatar Stars League last Friday.

El Jaish coach Razvan Lucescu believes that his team face a tough test at the King Fahad International Stadium but he has promised that his side will battle all the way to get a result.

“A lot of our players are playing in the AFC Champions League for the first time and we might not have the experience but we have motivation,” said the Romanian.

“Al Shabab are favourites to win the match but we are also prepared to fight in this game and try to get a positive result and take advantage of every situation that we will have. We have prepared well and we are ready or the match as we have no injuries and all the players will be ready for the game.”