Persepolis arrives in Tashkent

IRNA - The 38-member team of Persepolis arrived here in early Wednesday. The Tehran-based soccer side is to play in the quarterfinals of the Asian Champions League in the Uzbek capital.
Persepolis consists of 24 players and 14 officials. Talking to IRNA in Tashkent airport, the reds Head Coach Ali Parvin said his team is ready to clash against the three teams from Iraq, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
He added the team has traveled to Tashkent to adapt itself to the climatic conditions, predicting that his side would advance to the next round.
Parvin said Persepolis win over Al Merrikhi of Sudan in a friendly on Monday has raised the spirits of the squad.
Persepolis is to meet three representatives of Iraq, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan in a 50,000-seater stadium in Tashkent on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday respectively.
The top team will book a berth in the semifinals of the Asian Champions League.
On March 2, Persepolis, tamed the Sudanese team, Al Merrikhi, in a friendly in Takhti Stadium, southern Tehran.
Persepolis handed the visitor a bitter 4-1 defeat. In the first half, the two sides fought to a goalless draw but
five goals were scored after the break.
Persepolis striker Payan Ra'fat scored the opener in the 46th minute.
The match was leveled as Hasb tucked home the equalizer in the 64th minute.
Striker Sohrab Entezari made it 2-1 for Persepolis and his teammates Behnam Abolqassempour and Ali Salmani slotted home the third and fourth.