Al Ahli target away goal

Dubai - Red Knights coach Olaroiu wary of Naft Tehran in first leg of ACL quarterfinal

Al Ahli coach Cosmin Olaroiu is targeting a priceless away goal in the first leg of their Asian Champions League (ACL) quarterfinal against Naft Tehran on Wednesday (6.30pm UAE time).
The Red Knights head into this initial encounter in the Iranian capital in fine fettle having put eight goals past Fujairah in the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) this time last week.
Naft, meanwhile, have played four games so far this season in their own domestic top flight, although they are yet to register a single victory following three draws against Tractor Sazi (0-0), Saba Qom (1-1) and Malavan (3-3) and an away defeat to Siah Jamegan (1-0).
Such contrasting form won't count for too much nevertheless at the Azadi Stadium in front of an intimidating and partisan crowd, who undoubtedly will spur on their team to even greater efforts in elite-level continental competition.
It's of paramount importance then that Ahli don't get swept up in the occasion and go too gung-ho early doors, with their Romanian coach only too mindful that it will just be half-time in the tie whatever the result tonight.
"Playing in Iran - against any team - will not be easy," Olaroiu conceded. "We envisage a difficult match, especially with Naft being the last Iranian team in the ACL. 
"They play good football. We're expecting Naft to play better in the quarterfinal than they have in the first few games in their league.
"We - of course - play any game to win, but the most important thing will be to score. It's a game of 180 minutes; we have to be careful and take into consideration that there is a second game."
New star signing Lima echoed similar sentiments to his manager, with the clear intent to come away from Iran in an advantageous position ahead of the return clash on UAE soil next month (Wednesday, September 16th).
"We've prepared well for this match," the former Benfica and Sporting Braga striker, 32, commented. 
"Our aim is to get a good result here and finish the job back home."
Naft will naturally be looking to fly into Dubai with something tangible to defend and their boss Ali Reza Mansourian has called on his defenders to keep a watchful eye on Ahli's free-scoring forwards.
"Al Ahli will play to win and they have strong strikers. We have to be fully concentrated," said Mansourian, who expects Naft's aforementioned fervent faithful can act as their '12th man' on the night.
"We have the fans' support, particularly in big games like this one. For our match against Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli (from Jeddah), 17,000 of them were in the stadium supporting the team. It was a positive thing. We hope to see them again tomorrow (Wednesday)."
Veteran defender Jalal Hosseini meanwhile downplayed the significance of their disappointing run of form domestically as they prepare to face a team he clearly respects.
"UAE teams are improving fast," he stated. "Al Ahli have good players and they've signed good foreign players as well.
"We have good new players in our squad too though and - after playing together for four matches in the league - we've reached a good level. Hopefully, that will help us."
alex@khaleejtimes.com