Al Ahli are hoping to find “more solutions” to save their dismal AFC Champions League campaign against Nasaf on Wednesday, according to coach Cosmin Olaroiu.
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The Red Knights sit bottom of Group D after drawing two and losing one. An upturn in form is needed immediately if they are to make the knockout stages of the competition for the first time.
Nasaf provided disciplined opponents last time out at Rashid Stadium, Ruziqul Berdiev’s men barely venturing past the half-way line during a dull goalless draw. With that fixture in mind, Olaroiu hoped to discover fresh impetus to end a six-match ACL winless run.
He said: “What I have seen until now, Nasaf is a very-well-organised team who know exactly how they play. It was very difficult for us to score against them. We had 21 shots and 18 crosses, but we missed the last touch in front of goal to score. We hope tomorrow is different, we find more solutions.”
كوزمين : المجموعة متوازنة ، ونسعى للعودة بنقاط المباراة http://t.co/0XJb6XLOOP pic.twitter.com/6OiMrOsRxt
— Al Ahli Club (@AlAhliClub) April 6, 2015
Ahli’s task has been stiffened because of a series of disciplinary issues. UAE No1 Majed Nasser has begun a six-match continental suspension following an altercation with a photograper during the 1-0 loss at Iran’s Tractor Sazi, while defender Salmeen Khamis and key winger Ismail Al Hammadi are out for one match following an accumulation of yellow cards.
But Olaroiu was confident his squad possessed the strength in depth to avoid a third-successive loss in Uzbekistan.
He added: “Every player is important. But we try to fill in for any absence. Another player, they should replace that player and show themselves.”
Nasaf sit second in the standings on four points and boast a trio of Uzbekistan regulars in goalkeeper Eldorbek Suyunov, midfielder Farrukh Sayfiev and defender Shukhrat Mukhammadiev.
