Dubai: Al Nasr aren’t just eyeing a historic first appearance in the Asian Champions League quarter-finals, but intend to continue their dream run on the continent, according to deputy chairman Ahmad Khoury.
The Blue Wave beat Iran’s Tractor Sazi 4-1 at home in last week’s Round of 16 first leg, and now carry with them a three-goal advantage into the second leg in Tabriz from 7.30pm (UAE time) on Tuesday.
“The players are well prepared and dream of a positive result to get to the quarter-finals for the first time,” said Khoury.
“This would raise the club’s name on the continent and improve morale. However, the players aren’t just thinking about the return leg in Tabriz, but hope to continue this rise,” he added.
Former UAE defender Khalil Ganem, the father of current Al Nasr players Amer Mubarak and Khalifa Mubarak, said it was imperative the visitors didn’t concede an early goal.
“Players must stay focused especially inside the first 15 minutes,” said the World Cup 1990 squad member, who plied his trade with Khor Fakkan club side Al Khaleej from 1984 to 1994. “We should stay balanced between attack and defence and not rush forward, but at the same time we shouldn’t give Tractor Sazi the opportunity to continuously attack either.
“Everything is in Al Nasr’s hands and they have the experience to progress. Everyone in the UAE will get behind the team because they will be representing the country as a whole in this competition. And we are confident in their capability of reaching the quarter-finals despite the strength of Tractor Sazi.”
Ganem also warned Al Nasr not to be provoked by Tractor Sazi.
“We played many matches in Iran and many countries use different methods to demoralise their visiting opponent,” he added. “But such things ended decades ago and such behaviour nowadays will only hurt the antagonist as they overcharge themselves to achieve a result.”
