Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Last year’s beaten finalists Arbil from Iraq will look to reach the halfway point of the Group Stage of the 2013 AFC Cup with a perfect record when they take on unbeaten Fanja from Oman on Wednesday in Group B.
The Omanis also hold a 100% record after notching up victories over Ahli Tai of Yemen and Lebanon’s Al Ansar and Arbil will go into the game with midfielder Mahdi Kareem available for selection.
The Iraqi international has recovered from injury but Arbil’s Syrian midfielder Nadim Sabag will be absent due to suspension after picking up a second yellow card of the Group Stage in the win over Al Ansar on Matchday 2.
“There is no doubt we must win against Fanja as getting the three points will help us to get our third straight win in the group,” said Arbil coach Rodion Gacanin.
“We will miss some key players but we will try our best to have a good performance and fill the gaps with our good substitutes.
“Fanja are a good side and they have several good players. We have full confidence in our team, which is under great pressure due to the overlap of league matches with the AFC Cup matches and this could affect the players’ abilities to give all their best.”
Fanja arrived in Arbil on Sunday having lost 2-0 to Dhofar in the Oman league on Friday and striker Younis Al Mushairi is doubtful due to injury.
“We know how to play against Arbil and we know their weaknesses and strengths,” said Fanja coach Hicham Al Jadran. “We have trained very well for the match and hopefully we can have a good performance tomorrow.
“Arbil have good players who play with the Iraq national team and they will be playing at home and in front of their fans and this means that the match will not be easy for us.”
Al Ansar, meanwhile, will host Ahli Taiz in Beirut on Wednesday with both clubs looking to pick up their first points of the 2013 campaign.
Brazilian midfielder Marcelo (Marcelo Pereira Silva) will miss the game after suffering a knee injury in the 2-2 draw with Trablos in the Lebanese league while Samer Shahade is also absent due to injury. However, midfielder Rabih Ataya is fit and Ghanian forward Wisdom Agblexo is also available for selection.
Defender Mohamad Hammoud, meanwhile, will return after missing the previous match through suspension.
“We believe that winning this game is very important for us in order to revive our chances in the group after suffering two consecutive defeats,” said Al Ansar coach Jamal Taha. “We have two matches against Ahli Taiz which we will be playing in Beirut and I hopethat we can use this for our advantage.”
The games on Matchday 3 and 4 between the teams will be played in the Lebanese capital due to security issues in Yemen and Ahli Taiz coach Sami Naash knows the situation makes matters more difficult for his team.
“The match will not be easy for our team as we are playing away and without the support of our fans due to certain circumstances,” he said. “I hope that this will not affect us and that we can get a good result tomorrow.
“Al Ansar are a strong team and they have great capabilities in addition to good players.
However, we will try our best to hold them and get a good victory in order to revive our chances in the group.”