ACL RD16 – 2nd Leg: Zob Ahan vs. Al Ain [PREVIEW]

AFC – ISFAHAN, Group B winners Zobahan from Iran are sweating on the fitness of midfielder Mahdi Rajabzadeh ahead of Wednesday’s AFC Champions League Round of 16 second leg with Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates.

Rajabzadeh missed last week’s first leg with Al Ain as Mohammadreza Abbasi’s 76th minute header earned visitors Zobahan a 1-1 draw after Douglas had opened the scoring for the home side after just nine minutes.

But with Rajabzadeh remaining a doubt, coach Yahya Golmohammadi will hope the midfielder can recover as 2010 finalists Zobahan seek a return to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2011 having yet to lose a game in the AFC Champions League this season.

“We got a relatively good result in the first leg, but that is not a guarantee of qualification. We will have a tough match tomorrow. Al Ain have a good coach and players, and playing against them is hard for every team,” said Zobahan coach Golmohammadi (pictured).

“Our priority is not to concede goals. If so, our qualification is sealed. The opponent’s players are dangerous and they play well in small spaces. We have to play with full concentration.

“Our players have been great until now. We are much stronger with the support of our fans, so we need them and their support more than ever tomorrow. I hope the players can also answer them properly.

“I do not mean that we are going to defend for the full 90 minutes of the match in order to not concede. You will see attacking football from us too. We have young and energetic players and their energy can help us.”

Group D runners-up Al Ain arrived in Iran following Friday’s President’s Cup semi-final win over Bani Yas, which Zlatko Dalic’s side won 3-2 after extra-time.

“We have a tough match tomorrow, but in order to qualify to the next round we need to win. We had a hard match three days ago which went into extra-time and the players are a bit tired but we don’t have other options. I am optimistic that we will get the result tomorrow,” said Al Ain coach Dalic.

“None of the teams in the last 16 are weak and Zobahan are no exception. They play nice passing football, which is their strong point. Zobahan are one of the most dominant teams in Iran.

“We played well in the first leg and we could have doubled the lead, but we conceded the equaliser. With all respects to Zobahan, we want the win.

“I have been here with Al Hilal and Al Ahli, and have never been beaten. I hope to maintain my record.”

Photo: Lagardère Sports