Familiarity breeds content for Ghalenoei

AFC – RIYADH, Sepahan coach Amir Ghalenoei is confident the Iranians’ extensive AFC Champions League experience will be enough to carry them past Al Shabab at King Fahd International Stadium on Wednesday.

Sepahan were runners-up in the 2007 edition – during which they met their Saudi opponents in the group stage – and go into the Group C contest in buoyant mood in light of the fact they top the Pro League by six points.

“We are better as we have about six years experience in this championship and we have faced different teams from different countries. So we know who to deal with our opponents on Wednesday.” Said Ghalenoei (pictured).

“I know Al Shabab very well and we face almost the same squad from two years ago.

“This is a very important match for us because it is our first game this year in the competition and we are facing a team that play a modern style of football on their home ground.

“We have finalised our tactics to stop an Al Shabab side that boast good players with good skills who play together as a team.”

Al Shabab reached the last 16 of last season’s competition but are set to be without Libyan midfielder Tariq Al Taib and Saudi defenders Naif Al Qadi and Abdul Aziz Al Yousif through injury.

However, coach Jaime Pacheco has researched their opponents extensively and has called on his side to cut out the individual errors if they are to triumph over the Iranian powerhouses.

“Based on the information that we gathered on Sepahan, we know that they have a very strong squad with perfect tactics and I was in contact with my countryman Nelo Vingada and he told me that Iranian football is very good,” he said.

“Both sides have weak and strong points. It is true that we lost Crown Prince Cup in Saudi Arabia due to a mistake but we will concentrate on this championship.”

Al Shabab midfielder Ahmed Atif added that the Saudi outfit were determined to avenge the two defeats from two years ago when the sides renew acquaintances.

“Sepahan defeated us but we will do our best to make a perfect start in the championship.” Atif said.