Metsu admits ‘terrible situation’

AFC – DOHA, Al Gharafa welcome Sepahan to Al Gharafa Stadium on Tuesday ravaged by injury and on the brink of elimination from the 2011 AFC Champions League.

The Qataris have just one point from three Group A games and will take on the leaders – who beat them 2-0 in Esfahan two weeks ago to maintain their perfect record in this season’s competition – knowing anything other than victory will in all likelihood end their campaign at the first stage.

Al Gharafa’s cause is not helped either by a raft of injuries and suspensions to Mirghani Babiker and Bilal Abdulrahman.

“We are in a terrible situation since we don’t have enough fit men. I have only 15 players available to me. This is tough,” said boss Bruno Metsu.

“It will be a tough game for us because Sepahan are a great team. They are good at this level and play well in Iran also.

“We have just one reserve goalkeeper but no defenders on the bench. This is not an easy situation for us.”

Al Gharafa finished in second spot in this season’s Qatar Stars League, which ended on Friday.

“It has been a long season for us and my players have picked up injuries. We have played far too many games in one season. Some of my players appear for the Qatar national team which was involved in the Gulf Cup and the Asian Cup. So, my players are injured,” continued Metsu.

“So we have no choice but to play for a win. If we don’t win, then there’s nothing for us. So I want my players to give their best. I want them to give their 100 percent and that’s it.”

Sepahan, by contrast, have won their first three games and boss Amir Ghalenoei is eager for a fourth successive victory in order to help secure a home tie in the Round of 16.

“Our first target is to top the group. We can do that if we win tomorrow,” he said.

“We have prepared knowing that our group is a tough one. We have Al Jazira, Al Gharafa and Al Hilal, three top teams of UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia (respectively). There are no easy games in this group.

“We know we have to handle each of our opponents carefully and that is what we intend to do against Al Gharafa. We must control the ball in the first-half and that will help us in the rest of the match. But don’t forget we are from Sepahan. We are here to get three points.”

Ghalenoei also played down the absence of striker Ahmad Jamshidian.

“Our strength is playing as a team. We like to play as one unit. I personally don’t rely on individuals,” he added.

“We have players to fill in for him.”