Mes is a little big name for buoyant Bonacic

Goals from Edinho, substitute Paulo Zaltron and Mahdi Rajabzadeh at Shahid Bahonar Stadium saw the home side inflict a first defeat on Al Hilal in this year’s competition.

The result also saw them reach the knockout stage from Group D along with the Saudis after a last minute goal from Ali Abbas helped Al Ahli snatch a 2-2 draw with Al Sadd in Doha. 

“We began the group stage challenge with a win an ended it with a win, too. We proved Mes is a big name in Asia,” he said.

“The only blunder we made throughout the tournament was to lose against Al Ahli. Had we not lost to the Emirates’ side, we’d have certainly been among the last sixteen by now (before the final round of games). 

“My players feel great when they play at home, they should really have the same feeling when we play outside Iran.”

Having secured their place in the last 16, Bonacic’s thoughts now turn to pressing domestic matters.

“We won’t be thinking about the ACL, from now on what we have to focus our attention on is the domestic league and our vital match against Teraktor,” he added.

“We have unfortunately lost a game after each win recently. I do need to do something to stop this pattern.”

Missing Christian Wilhelmsson, Yasser Al Qahtani and Lee Young-pyo, Al Hilal fielded a youthful line-up with their place as group winners already assured. 

Assistant coach Reinhard Stumpf was in charge as boss Eric Gerets was suspended following a red card in goalless draw with Al Sadd and decided against the trip, and was pleased with what he saw from his side despite the defeat.

“My regular players did not play today. We’d initially targeted qualifying for the next round as winners of our group and that was done,” said the German.

“When we were at home, we made a decision to field the young boys and I am now pleased they’ve gained the experience of an international match in a continental tournament.”

Stumpf added he had no preference as to who Al Hilal will face in the knockout stage.

“I am not sure what will happen in the next round but it doesn’t matter which team we have to play against since we are determined to make the final match and in order to fulfil that, we have to beat everyone on the way. 

“However, this is football and I can’t say who will be the winners of the tournament at the end of the day.”

Stumpf also hinted there could be a change of keeper after Mohammad Al Deayea was at fault for Mes’ third goal.

“When a team loses or wins each, every one of the players share the victory or the loss, so I’m not going to blame Mohammad Al Deayea for the goals he conceded,” he said.

“However, we might change our player in goal as the next games will undoubtedly be tougher.”