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| AFC Cup |
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| No time for complacency warns Saad |
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| Safa are looking to build an advantage when they host India's Dempo in the first leg of the AFC Cup semi-final. |
BEIRUT – Safa coach Samir Saad has called on his players to maintain their focus as they look to defend a two-goal lead against Malaysian side Perak in the second leg of their AFC Cup quarter-final on Tuesday.
The Lebanese side are a strong position to reach the last four after building a 2-0 lead in Ipoh last week thanks to goals by Rony Azar and Moroccan midfielder Hamid Termina.
However, Saad is adamant that the tie is not over yet and warned his players against complacency.
"Despite our win in the first leg, the tie is not over yet and for me the second leg is most important one because it is the door to the next stage," said Saad.
"I hope our players will show the same concentration they showed in the first leg. The 2-0 win in Ipoh will give us a big push and give the players the necessary motivation to continue at a good level for the second leg.
"We have tried our best to prepare the players and gave them some rest after the long trip to Malaysia. We had a chance to train in Bahrain on our way back to Beirut and the team started training for the match immediately after our arrival.
"We now know a lot about Perak after not knowing anything about them before the first leg and that will help us for the match on Tuesday."
Safa welcome back defender Ali Al Saadi from suspension while Perak will have the services of defender Mohammed Khairi Zainuddin, who was also suspended for the first leg.
Cash-strapped Perak needed a US$20,000 loan from the Football Association of Malaysia to pay for their travel costs to Beirut and have brought only 16 players and four team officials on their trip to the Middle East.
However, Perak coach Steve Darby is determined to see his side put on a good show despite their recent woes.
"We will not suffer the embarrassment of having to concede a walkover to the Lebanese side because we have no money," said the Englishman. "The loan enabled us to purchase air tickets for the trip.
"We have not been paid for the last three months but this will not affect the team's performance. We tried to take a good lead in the first leg match but the match was very hard."
"Safa scored from two set pieces and their goalkeeper had a good night," added Darby, who hopes to have Khalid Jamlus available after the striker went off with a knee injury early in the first leg.
"We had a good game in the first leg especially as we played with no players up front."
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