Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: When Islamic Republic of Iran giants Esteghlal step onto the field into the cauldron of noise that is the cavernous Azadi Stadium to face Emirati side Al Ain in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Round of 16 tie on Monday, striker Kaveh Rezaei knows that nothing less than giving his all will be sufficient for the club’s home fans who are comfortably among Asia’s most fervent.
The 25-year-old is in his second AFC Champions League campaign after he reached the last 16 with Isfahan club Zobahan, although his four goals in six games this time round is a marked improvement on last year’s tally when he netted just the once.
But then the pressure and expectations from the legions of Esteghlal fans, a side that is considered by many to be among the biggest clubs in Asia, is a different experience entirely.
Rezaei: Esteghlal is one of the giants of Asia
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/esteghlal_irn_squad_ls_jpg_1.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/esteghlal_irn_squad_ls_jpg.html