Pirouzi Athletic do not want to take chances with Al Shabab

Dubai: Iran's Pirouzi Athletic won't be leaving anything to chance when they take on Al Shabab in their final Group D match of the AFC Champions League here today.

Chasing current group leaders Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia, the Iranians go into tonight's match with a psychological advantage after their 6-1 drubbing of Al Shabab in their home encounter before 82,000 fans on March 21. With nine points from five matches, Al Hilal host Al Gharafa of Qatar in the second Group D match.

Pirouzi's Turkish coach Mustafa Denizli is upset that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) did not have simultaneous kick-offs for both matches.

"All over the world, the last group matches are normally played at the same time. I wish it would have been the case with the Asian Champions League too. But I am not worried about the outcome," Denizli said.

"We know the importance of this match and we have prepared accordingly. Al Shabab are a very good team, and our 6-1 result in Tehran was unexpected. We are ready for this match and it would have been better to have both final-round matches kick off at the same time," he added.

"Everytime we play for three points. And even if we settle for a draw, then we have to be extra careful in the last five or 10 minutes to make sure we do not let them score."

Al Shabab coach Paulo Bonamigo admitted that his team is motivated for the match, even though they have no chance of advancing in the league. "We are high on motivation and this is not a time for revenge," Bonamigo said.

"I have told my players that our task is to perform in the Asian Champions League while maintaining the dignity and personality of Al Shabab, and I am confident in my players to stick to this," he added.

In other Asian Champions League matches today, Lekhwia play Al Nasr in Group C from 8pm, while tomorrow sees Group B's Bani Yas play Pakhtakor Tashkent from 7.20pm, and Al Rayyan face Al Jazira in Group A from 7.55pm.