Dubai: Al Ain will only raise their game when faced with crowds of over 100,000 at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium in their Asian Champions League (ACL) Last 16 first leg away to Iran’s Esteghlal on Monday, according to ‘The Boss’ midfielder Mohammad Khalfan.
Last year’s ACL losing finalists are looking to go one better in the competition this season, especially after failing to qualify for next year’s tournament after finishing fourth in this season’s Arabian Gulf League.
However, a hostile environment awaits them in the Iranian capital on Monday, ahead of the return leg at home on May 29.
Khalfan said this wouldn’t be a problem for Zoran Mamic’s men, however. “Azadi fans will enhance the motivation of the players to deliver the best performance to achieve a result that is consistent with the expectation of our supporters,” he said.
“I think Al Ain has enough experience to deal with all possible circumstances in continental confrontations.
“We have come to Tehran to win, and we respect Esteghlal’s ambitions, but we are going to show our best and fight for a positive result to return home with.”
Al Ain’s Colombian winger Danilo Asprilla agreed his teammates wouldn’t be overawed. “There is no ceiling to our ambition, especially when it comes to the ACL,” he said.
“We were one step away from winning last year,” he added of their 3-2 aggregate defeat to South Korea’s Jeonbuk Motors. “And now we are focused on going all the way.
“We are well aware our task isn’t easy but strong confrontations reinforce our desire to reap positive results. We have a very strong desire to deliver the best performance to move closer to the quarter-final.”
Al Ahli are the only other UAE side left in the ACL and travel to their Saudi Arabian namesakes Al Ahli Jeddah for their Last 16 first leg on Monday. The future of the 2015 losing finalists is uncertain in the competition, however, after their merger with Al Shabab and Dubai Club last week.
Upon the formation of Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) released a statement that said if Al Ahli make the quarter-finals of this season’s ACL: “There will be a new player registration window in August, which will allow the nomination of new players.”
By that time Al Ahli, as it was, won’t exist, as Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club will be registering players for the upcoming domestic season. The AFC statement added: “The Club Competition Regulations do not permit a change of name.”
Al Ahli have also qualified to next year’s ACL after finishing third in this season’s Arabian Gulf League. Of that qualification the AFC said: “Clubs can register in September for the 2018 AFC Club Competitions. If they have not been in existence for three years in their current entity the Independent Entry Control Body will make a ruling on the eligibility.”
