Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dushanbe: Coach Zainal Abidin Hassan is looking for Pahang FA to bounce back from the recent disappointment of losing out on the Malaysia Super League title by getting a positive result in Wednesday’s AFC Cup quarter-final first leg with Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol at Republican Central Stadium.
Going into Saturday’s round of domestic fixtures two points behind leaders and fellow continental hopefuls Johor Darul Ta’zim, Pahang’s 3-1 away defeat in Terengganu meant Mario Gomez’s side cemented top spot and a second consecutive championship despite their own loss at Felda United.
Pahang’s first-ever AFC Cup quarter-final tie, though, brings a welcome distraction from the heartache at home.
“Although we didn’t achieve a good result in the last match of our championship, I’d like to congratulate the team for making the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup and I hope we can create more history by getting to the semi-finals,” said Hassan.
“We haven’t faced a Central Asian team before and there is little information about our opponents, although I have watched some videos of their matches, but nevertheless we respect Istiklol who play disciplined football and also attacking football.
“We will battle hard in this game, even though some players are tired, and we will look to get a positive result and play beautiful football.”
Opponents Istiklol, meanwhile, are looking to continue their hugely impressive debut campaign in the AFC Cup after they became the first side from Tajikistan to reach the quarter-finals of the continental competition after claiming a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Syria’s Al Wahda in May’s Round of 16 following a 1-1 draw after extra-time.
And although the Dushanbe-based club could only manage a goalless draw away at Regar-TadAZ in their most recent domestic league outing on 15 August, Mubin Ergashev’s defending champions still top the Tajik league standings by seven points ahead of Khujand.
“There are no easy games at this stage and Wednesday’s game is going to be very difficult match against a tough opponent,” said Istiklol coach Ergashev, who saw the AFC Cup debutants win Group A ahead of defending champions Qadsia SC before the last 16 win over Al Wahda.
“The level of their foreign and local players is very good and it will be a step up from our domestic fixture, especially as we last played in the AFC Cup three months ago.
“Although it is often better to play the first game away from home, we will do us best to achieve victory and I hope many fans come to the stadium to support us; we will play for them.”
Photo: WSG