Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Riyadh: Technical director Sami Al Jaber has warned his Al Hilal side that there will be “no room for errors” when the Saudi giants face Iran’s Sepahan in their crucial Group C clash to decide the AFC Champions League Round of 16 participants on Tuesday.
And the former champions host a Sepahan side fresh from a 4-0 mauling of Qatari side Al Sadd on Matchday Five, knowing only victory will seal a return to the Round of 16 for a sixth consecutive time, while a draw would be enough to put their visitors through at their own expense.
Sepahan were the victors in a see-saw 3-2 scoreline the last time the sides faced off in March and with both midfielder Nawaf Al Abed and playmaker Thiago Neves doubtful and Abdulla Al Dossary suspended for Al Hilal, the return of key forwards Nassir Al Shamrani and Yassir Al Qahtani is timely.
“Our group is very hard and we previously said that the teams who will qualify to the knockout stage will not be known until the last round. This round will also determine the first and second placed teams in the group,” said Al Hilal technical director Al Jaber.
“Our opponents play good football and we know them well and we didn’t deserve to lose in the previous match against them.
“There is no room for errors tomorrow and hopefully we can win in order to secure our place in the knockout stage.”
For Sepahan, Albanian midfielder Ervin Bulku will return to the team after missing the victory over Al Sadd through suspension.
Although Al Sadd sit bottom of the group, such is the finely balanced nature of the standings in Group C that only two points separates them from the top, and they would advance to the Round of 16 with victory over Emirati side Al Ahli who currently hold a tenuous grasp on top spot.
A draw in Dubai, however, would see Al Ahli progress in place of Al Sadd.
“All the teams still have a chance to qualify and the match will be very difficult as we are wary of Al Hilal’s desire to win which will eliminate us from competition,” said Sepahan coach Zlatko Krancjar.
“We have several injured players and I hope that we can prepare them before the match,”
“We will try to give our best against Al Hilal who must win and they will be playing at home and in front of their fans but our concentration is fully focused on the match.”