ACL Group C – Tractorsazi Tabriz v Al Jazira [PREVIEW]
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Loading...AFC – Tabriz, Tractorsazi Tabriz coach Amir Ghalenoei has warned his side to be aware of the physical strength of Al Jazira when his team take on the club from the United Arab Emirates in Group C of the 2016 AFC Champions League on Wednesday.
Ghalenoei’s side notched up their first win in five games last Thursday against Sepahan in the domestic league and the former national team manager believes that 2-1 success – thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Mehdi Sharifi – will give his team a much-needed confidence boost.
“We have analysed the last two matches of Al Jazira and they benefit from their players’ height,” said former Esteghlal coach Ghalenoei, pictured during the 2013 AFC Champions League.
“We know Al Jazira are a very tough side, but as the hosts of Wednesday’s match we are ready to face the UAE side.
“After beating Sepahan in the domestic league, we have improved a lot, both mentally and physically. Al Jazira have a very strong midfield line and they are even better upfront.
“We are determined to do our best against them and will try to cut off the links between the attacking line and midfield. We are playing in the AFC Champions League and winning the first match in tournaments of this nature is always very important.
“Fortunately we don’t face any suspension or injury problems. I am confident Tractorsazi will get off to a positive start and get some good results after some years of participation in this tournament.”
Al Jazira have struggled this season in the UAE league, but go into the game with a 3-2 win over Bani Yas last Thursday behind them, and assistant coach Piet Hamberg – standing in for coach Henk Ten Cate, who was absent due to illness – confirmed Abdulla Mousa had not travelled with the rest of the team to Iran.
“We will have a difficult match against Tractor,” said the Dutchman. “We have some injured players on both wings, although our medical staff are trying to prepare them for the match.
“We don’t think that the change in the schedule of the AFC Champions League will effect us. We will be concentrating fully and because of our fast forwards we hope to see a lot of goals. We have a record of two-and-a-half goals per game in our last eight games, which is positive and a hopeful point for us.”
Photo: AFP
