Al Ain prepare for critical AFC Champions League game against Esteghlal with poisonous atmosphere expected in Tehran

Matt Jones - Editor 20:48 11/03/2018
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  • Al Ain had to deal with the shocking loss of Omar Abdulrahman on the eve of the 2018/19 season.

    A humiliating exit in the last 16 a year ago and two controversial penalties which rescued a 2-2 draw in the Garden City a week ago mean anything except a rosy welcome is expected when Al Ain take on Esteghlal in Tehran on Monday evening.

    The Boss are preparing for a crucial AFC Champions League encounter against the backdrop of what is expected to be a poisonous atmosphere at the cavernous 100,000 capacity Azadi Stadium, with Iranian press reporting in the lead-up to the game that the Group D match could be marred by hooliganism.

    Malaysian referee Mohd Amirul Izwan bin Yaacob awarded two penalties to Al Ain at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium last Tuesday – one of which was missed by Marcus Berg, with the second scored by Ahmed Khalil in the 89th minute to earn the hosts a priceless 2-2 draw.

    That, coupled with a humiliating 6-1 hammering in the UAE in the second leg of the first knockout round last May after they had won the home leg 1-0 in Tehran, has fired up the home fans ahead of this crucial clash.

    In addition, Iranian New Year or ‘Nowruz’, being celebrated on March 21 and a prelude to the country’s independence on April 1, has initiated fears that fireworks could be brought to the game and let off by excited home fans.

    Whatever the reception awaiting his team, Al Ain talisman Omar Abdulrahman insists the visitors will be able to cope with a charged atmosphere.

    “We are well aware our task will not be easy against Esteghlal in front of their home fans, but we are a great team and have the ability, expertise and capabilities to face all the challenges ahead of us, whatever the circumstances,” said the 2015 AFC Player of the Year.

    “We come to Tehran in order to win and return with three points, which enhances our chances to claim one of the two qualifying spots in the group.”

    On the tone set by the Iranian press ahead of the match, Abdulrahman, who scored two of the six Al Ain goals in the second leg 10 months ago, added: “The players are accustomed to dealing with such matters.

    “We have a strong desire to win and a great fighting spirit and experience to face all possible circumstances and our response to them will be in the field. We as players trust in our ability to achieve our ambitions.”

    The Asian Football Confederation has warned Iran’s football federation (Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran) that the club could face a two-year ban from the continental competition should there be a repeat of the issues from a year ago.

    Esteghlal were fined $51,000 after fans flashed laser beams at opposing players and referees during their Champions League qualifier against Qatar’s Al Sadd in February and again in a group stage game against Uzbekistan’s Lokomotiv Tashkent in March.

    Fans also hurled “missiles which caused explosions” in the Lokomotiv game which caused the stadium to be evacuated and earned them the fine and a warning.

    A specialist security official has even been appointed by the AFC for the game while strongly-worded warnings have been issued to the club by the FFIRI.

    The draw last time out was Al Ain’s third in a row but could prove crucial to their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stage in a group no-one apparently wants to win – with just one victory recorded in the opening six matches.

    Al Ain will be without Caio in Iran.

    Al Ain will be without Caio in Iran.

    They are third on three points, level with Qatar’s Al Rayyan, and only two points adrift of Monday’s opponents, who are the only side in the group to win a game, in addition to two draws.

    The Boss will be without Brazilian wideman Caio for the trip due to injury, but Abdulrahman added his confidence in coach Zoran Mamic to come up with a plan to enable Al Ain to win.

    “I think the positives are on our side and the negatives are reflected on the opposing team. Coach Zoran has a good technical reading of the ideal way to face this team and get the best result in Tehran.”

    Esteghlal coach Winfried Schaefer understands there is likely to still be a lot of anger prominent in the stands after the way they had victory taken away from them a week ago, but he insisted his players will not put undue pressure on the match official.

    “I read some reports published by newspapers in English which spoke about justice and accusing the officials in the previous match of not adhering to the rules of the game but I remain supportive of them and thank God I am not a referee,” said German Schaefer, who coached Al Ain from 2007-09.

    “My players have a good personality and need to deal with all circumstances professionally. They will not be affected by messages of the media because it is possible to make mistakes and we too make mistakes in football.

    “I hope to see the stadium full of encouragement because we have to defend the reputation of Iranian football.”

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