FootballAsia - Esteghlal take on Anyang LG Cheetahs in
Wednesday's Asian Club Championship semi-final without the services of
the suspended Alireza Vahedi Nikbakht. The highly promising left-sided attacker,
linked with a move to fallen Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, picked up
his second yellow card in Esteghlal's 3-0 Quarter-Finals West defeat of
Al Kuwait following a caution in the Tehran side's second-round victory
over Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia. Nikbakht, who proved his value to the side
with a 58th minute equalizer against fellow semi-finalists Nasaf Karsi
in the previous stage, is expected to be replaced by the speedy and
skilful 28-year-old Mohammed Navazi. With a similar high impact, penetrating
style, Mojahed Khaziravi would have been a tailor-made replacement for
Nikbakht but the talented 22-year-old has picked up a knee injury that
has ruled him out of the match.
