Karshi: Coach Ruzikul Berdiev believes Nasaf’s positive showing in last week’s 2-1 AFC Champions League Group D loss to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli leaves the Uzbek League side in good position for the return fixture at Central Stadium on Wednesday.
Goals from Mohammed Al Fatil and Omar Al Soma helped Christian Gross’s Al Ahli claim all three points in the opening Group D fixture, but after Bobir Abdixolikov’s first-half equaliser, Nasaf had a number of chances to take something from the tie.
Nasaf, though, took just one point from six when the teams clashed at the same stage in the 2015 continental competition, and they will be looking for an improvement if they are to advance to the knockout stage for the first time.
“Al Ahli are a very strong team, but the first game shows we can beat them. My players have prepared well and they are motivated to get the victory,” said Berdiev (pictured), who will be without the suspended Erkin Baydullaev after he was sent-off after receiving two yellow cards in Jeddah.
“We have various players who can replace Baydullaev in midfield. I can choose (Azizjon) Ganiev or (Maksud) Karimov. (Bakhrom) Abdurakhimov will also come back to the squad and (Saydullo) Rakhmatov is ready to play too.
“We don’t have a big squad so I have to give the chance to young players in this situation, but we are not scared to field them.”
Gross’s Al Ahli, meanwhile, boast an impressive group stage record having made it to at least the Round of 16 in the three of the past four years.
And after remaining unbeaten both home and away in the group stage last season, the Saudi Arabian side will be hoping to continue their form on the continental stage this year.
“We played a very difficult game against Nasaf at home and we know this is what we can expect in this game,” said Swiss coach Gross.
“Nasaf have the same football philosophy as last season. They like to play modern football. I think with their players returning they will have a better team, but we will try to reach our target and win.
“We have a balanced squad so I decided to leave Omar Al Soma and Giannis Fetfatzidis in Jeddah, but other players can come in and replace them.”
Photo: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com