Daei urges Persepolis to grab their chance

AFC – TEHRAN, Islamic Republic of Iran legend Ali Daei insists Persepolis must not let their opportunity to reach a first AFC Champions League final slip away as the Tehran giants get set to host Qatar’s Al Sadd in the second leg of the semi-final on Tuesday. 

Daei, who is currently the head coach at Iranian Pro League side Saipa, had two spells with Persepolis during a distinguished playing career, winning the domestic league championship in 1995-96 before leaving for stints in Qatar, Germany and the United Arab Emirates before returning in 2003.

“Persepolis have a very tough match ahead and will need to be at their best to get the result they need to get to the final,” said Daei, whose season in Qatar was with Al Sadd.

“They have done very well to get this far, and the games they have won [in the second legs] show just how professional the team is and how smart the head coach is.

“It’s been a long time since Iran has won an Asian Cup or a top Asian club competition, but Persepolis now have a chance to win the title and they must not lose it.”

Daei appeared in just one edition of the AFC Champions League, scoring five goals for Saba Battery in the group stage of the 2006 edition, but the side from Qom failed to advance to the knockout rounds.

The 49-year-old’s only coaching experience in the continental competition was in 2011 when he was in charge of Persepolis as they also exited in the group stage. Until last year, meanwhile, the club had never progressed beyond the last 16.

But they are now appearing in their second successive semi-final and boast a squad of players who continue to rise to the occasion, none more so than when they reversed first-leg deficits against Al Jazira and Al Duhail in the last 16 and quarter-finals to secure stunning comeback wins at Azadi Stadium.

“Persepolis have some very prominent Iranian players,” added Daei. “Alireza Beiranvand is our national team goalkeeper, Jalal Hosseini leads the defensive line very well and up front they have good players such as Ali Alipour, who has helped the side a lot this year.

“Even when losing, Iranian teams never give in at Azadi Stadium, especially Persepolis with the huge number of fans they have, who make it very difficult for any team who faces them.

“I’ve played twice for Persepolis and know exactly how these supporters drive the players forward and give them confidence. Even when the club has a lot of problems, the fans counterbalance them, and this is an advantage Persepolis have over every other club.”