Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tashkent: Coach Samvel Babayan knows that only a win will do for his Pakhtakor team in Wednesday’s AFC Champions League Group B tie with already eliminated Al Shabab of Saudi Arabia as they aim to qualify for the Round of 16 for the first time since 2010.
The Uzbek League winners go into the encounter at Pakhtakor Stadium in third place in the group on six points from five games – two behind Iran’s Naft Tehran and three adrift of group leaders Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates – in the knowledge that anything but a victory will see them eliminated from the continental competition.
But having not claimed all three points since their opening day 2-1 victory over Naft, Babayan’s team must return to winnings ways while at the same time hope the Iranians fail to defeat already qualified Al Ain in Wednesday’s other Group B game, with the UAE champions still needing a point to guarantee top spot.
“This is a very important match as we have not qualified for the Round of 16 for many years, but now we have an opportunity to do so,” said Babayan (pictured), who will be without suspended captain Egor Krimets after he picked up a booking in last month’s 1-1 draw with Naft.
“We want to take our chance and we will play only for victory; we will try to produce attacking football.
“We played well against Shabab in Riyadh, but couldn’t get the victory. They will play without pressure, but our target is to win and qualify for the next round.”
Opposite number Adel Abdulrahman, meanwhile, takes his side into the encounter on the back of three successive defeats in Group B having initially drawn their opening two games.
But despite the 1-0 loss to Al Ain on Matchday Five confirming the Saudis’ early exit from the tournament, as well as last position in the group, Abdulrahman insists the former semi-finalists still have much to play for.
“We have come here to play for our club’s reputation. We have no chance of qualifying for the next stage, but we will play for victory,” said the Egyptian coach.
“We have had bad results in the AFC Champions League, but we want to show the good level of the Saudi Arabian championship and hope to participate successfully in the future editions of the tournament.
“We know Pakhtakor will play for victory, but they will play with pressure because they need to win. We can play without pressure and produce a good performance.
“I think all four teams in the group are equal; I can’t say there is a strong team. We didn’t achieve positive results during this campaign because we had seven main players injured and couldn’t use them.”
Photo: WSG