Iran legend Mahdavikia hopes Persepolis win AFC Champions League [Interview]
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Loading...Tehran Times – MUSCAT, Islamic Republic of Iran’s Persepolis meet Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia in a highly-anticipated 2017 AFC Champions League quarter-final clash on Tuesday in Muscat, Oman.
For such an exciting encounter, the-afc has picked the Iranian club legend to give his views on the mouthwatering meeting.
Legendary Team Melli star Mehdi Mahdevikia began and ended his professional career as a player at Persepolis.
The former winger, who numbers over a 100 caps for IR Iran, was one of his nation’s leading players and enjoyed an impressive spell in Germany with Hamburg SV and Eintracht Frankurt.
Q: What have you made of your former clubs’ performances in the AFC Champions League so far?
Mahdevikia: I think Persepolis has given a good performance this season in the AFC Champions League and they are one of the strongest sides in the quarter-final.
Q: How have you rated their work in the transfer market?
Mahdevikia: They did a good job in the transfer window. They have signed a central defender and a dangerous forward who had scored many goals in previous season. Persepolis have also new faces in the center and the left side of the pitch.
Q: Which players have the potential to be game-changers?
Mahdevikia: This is such an important match. I think Persepolis’s strikers, especially Mehdi Taremi, can change the result.
Q: What are your predictions for the two matches?
Mahdavikia: Well, I’d like it if Persepolis can win both matches. But at the end of the day, getting to the next stage is more important to us and all the fans.
Q: Do you think your former team have what it takes to go all the way and win the 2017 AFC Champions League?
Mahdavikia: Persepolis have key players in all areas of the pitch. And they are a very well-organized team. I hope they can finally become Asian champions after so many years, although there is plenty of hard work left to do. Becoming AFC Champions League winners would make the Persepolis fans so happy. I’m really hopeful this year.
