Bonacic dares Al Shabab to attack

AFCL – Sepahan coach Luka Bonacic believes that the crucial Group D clash against Al Shabab on Wednesday will play right to the counter-attacking strengths of his side.

The Iranian Hazfi Cup holders only need a draw against the dethroned Saudi league champions at Foolad Shahr Stadium to progress to the last eight of the AFC Champions League for the first time.

And having seen his team recently dismantle Esteghlal-Ahvaz 4-0 in the Iran Pro League and Syrian side Al Ittihad 5-0 in the ACL, the Croatian is confident that they can prevail in the group decider.

“We have a tactical system that makes it difficult for teams who attempt to put us on the defensive. For example, in our recent games against Al Ittihad and Esteghlal-Ahvaz, the more they attacked us, the more goals they conceded,” said Bonacic.

“I’m pleased that it is Al Shabab that need to win to progress as they will have take the offensive in the game.

“I should probably warn them beforehand not to even think of attacking!“ he quipped.

Sepahan and Al Shabab are tied for first place on 10 points but it is the team from Esfahan that hold the tie-breaker after their 1-0 win in Riyadh in March.

However, Bonacic does not want his side to merely sit back in defence and play for the draw on Wednesday.

“Experience has proven that teams aiming to get a draw in these types of games are more likely to be dominated by their opponents and finish with nothing,” he said.

“Fortunately, we are in a position in which our progression is in our own hands. We lead Group D and will be have the strong support of our loyal and vocal supporters, who will be urging us on to victory on Wednesday evening.“

Sepahan, the only Iranian side in this year’s competition following the disqualification of Esteghlal, have narrowly missed out on the knockout stage in their two previous AFC Champions League campaigns.

In 2004, they finished level on point with eventual champions Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia but went out on the basis of head-to-head results and in 2005, they were eliminated after going down 3-2 at Al Ain in their final match.

Those disappointments have only made Sepahan all the more determined to progress to the quarter-finals.

“The main thing for our team right now is the success of Sepahan,” Bonacic said. “Therefore, the selection of the players who will play on Wednesday will be very important.”

Sepahan have no fresh injury concerns although midfielder Saeid Bayat is suspended after being sent off in the 5-0 rout in Aleppo.

Meanwhile, Al Shabab will enter Wednesday’s match looking to erase the disappointment of relinquishing their Saudi League crown after a 2-1 defeat to Al Wahda in the Golden Square play-off last Friday.

The game against Sepahan will be the final one for the Riyadh side before they break for the summer and their mission in Esfahan has been quite clearly spelled out by coach Jose de Morais.

“Our job is clear. There are no conditions other than we have to win the match as it’s the only way for us to seal a spot in knock-out stage,” said the Portuguese, who team arrived in Iran on Monday.

“Sepahan are undoubtedly a tough team to beat especially at home but we will go all out to beat them."

Defender Zaid Al Mowalad is still sidelined by injury but de Morais has no other injury or suspension concerns.