Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tabriz: Tractorsazi coach Toni Oliviera has not given up hope of taking his club into the knockout phase of the 2015 AFC Champions League despite sitting at the bottom of Group D with just two rounds remaining in the group stage.
Oliviera’s team host Nasaf from Uzbekistan on Tuesday needing all three points to keep pace with group leading duo of Al Ahli from Saudi Arabia and their namesakes from the United Arab Emirates and the Portuguese coach (pictured) is under no illusions over the task ahead.
“Tomorrow we have a very tough match against Nasaf,” he said. ‘The teams in this group are equally strong while all of them still have the chance to qualify to the next round.
“Nasaf is a very well organised and disciplined team and that’s why they are currently at the top of the Uzbekistan League, but we are more than determined to take the three points from this home game.”
Tractorsazi have collected four points from their opening four games, four behind Jeddah giants Al Ahli, with the Emiratis on five points and Nasaf ahead of the Iranians on goal difference.
Oliviera is working against the odds to turn the club’s fortunes around and he is determined to push for a place in the Round of 16 until the last possible moment.
“Since I came here to Tabriz we have had a limited squad available, three players have been suspended due to military service issues and Fardin Abedini is ruled out due to injury,” he said.
“But we will give our best to get the best results both in the Iran league and the AFC Champions League.
“On paper we have still a chance of qualifying but Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli and UAE-based Al Ahli are in a better position than us to make it to the next round.
“So we have to be realistic about that and see how much investment is done for preparations of every team to take part in the continental challenge. Still, we will give our best to qualify as group runner-ups.”
Nasaf won the previous meeting between the teams on Matchday One and the Uzbek club has not won a game since, with coach Ruziqul Berdiev knowing his side will face a tough task in front of the home side’s fans.
“Both teams need the three points to keep their qualifying hopes alive,” he said. “I know we will have a very difficult game tomorrow against Tractorsazi in front of their fans.
“We are in a very tough group in which all the teams are very strong and with just two games to go all of them have the chance to qualify.
“We will try to give our best on the pitch even if the Tractor fans fill the stadium to support their team.”
Photo: WSG