'Esteghlal tie is 'match of season' for Al Ain'

Abu Dhabi - Al Ain must overturn a goal deficit and win at home to progress into the Last 8

Continental dreams are at stake as Al Ain play Esteghlal in the return leg of the AFC Champions League Round 16 match at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Monday.
Al Ain must overturn a goal deficit and win at home to progress into the Last 8 as they had lost the first-leg to a lone penalty.
And Al Ain coach Zoran Mamic has promised best performance to ensure a qualification.
"Al Ain will play a strong game. The players are ready. The meeting could be described as the match of the season. We want to qualify. We lost the first leg in stoppage time. It was an error but one that cost us the game," the Croatian said during the Press conference.
He said the players are in right frame of mind to play Esteghlal. Only Saeed Juma is missing due to suspension. On the importance of the match for Al Ain, which had a lackluster season, the coach just said: "We have to play well and be the best team. I expect it to be offensive line during the game."
Mamic is heavily banking on fan support too. "We look forward to the support from the fans. We want as many fans to attend the game. They should do their part in encouraging players to the fullest. For our part, we promise that we will give the best performance in order to qualify to the next stage."
On Ramadan fasting affecting players, he said: "I don't think fasting can affect the players. I have experience with it."
"When I was coach of Dinamo Zagreb, Algerian player El Arabi Hillel Soudani was among the best players during Ramadan and had scored goals during fasting."
Esteghlal coach Alireza Mansourian said his players need to focus throughout the game and not let Al Ain take control of the match. "We are sure the game will not be easy. We must be fully focused to qualify."
Esteghlal are also missing a player in Farshid Esmaeili. And as usual for any away team coach, Mansourian, too said the danger man is Al Ain playmaker Omar Abdulrahman. "He is a crucial factor." He said the visitors are fully aware about Al Ain's experience in the competition."
He doesn't think 'Ainawi' fans will affect the concentration level of his players.
Meanwhile, Al Ain FC are going extra mile encouraging players. The club's Public Affairs Office has prepared first-of-its kind tifo. The 'Ainawis' will unveil a mobile three-dimensional tifo for the first time. Also, another tifo will be dedicated to Korean star Lee Myung-Joo. The built-up certainly makes this the match of the season for the 'Boss'.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com