5/6/2008
the-afc.com

KARAJ – Saipa captain Ebrahim Sadeghi is eager to wrap up an AFC Champions League quarter-final spot with a game to spare by defeating Kuwait Sports Club in Karaj on Wednesday.

The Group B leaders will book a place in the last eight if they can overcome their Kuwaiti opponents with the Iranians going through, even if Al Quwa Al Jawiya beat Al Wasl, courtesy of a better head-to-head record.

And Sadeghi insists Saipa need to make the most of home advantage at the Enghelab Stadium.

“We mustn’t let it go to the last day,” he said.

“If we don’t get a result, we’ll be in danger because anything can happen in the last match.”

Coach Ali Daei, meanwhile, was still dwelling on his side’s 1-1 draw with Al Quwa Al Jawiya two weeks ago as victory would have given the Iranian champions plenty of breathing room going into the final two games.

“We can still reach the next round with a win but beating Al Quwa Al Jawiya would have made our lives a lot easier,” he said.

Daei has a fully fit squad at his disposal, although midfielder Omid Sharifi Nasab is suspended after picking up his second yellow card late on against Al Wasl.

KSC will be without defender Jarah Al Ataiqi also through suspension but Angolan midfielder Andre Macanaga and Tunisian striker Ziad Jaziri both return after missing the 1-0 defeat to Al Wasl last time out.

And coach Mohammed Abdullah is confident his side will not be intimidated by a raucous atmosphere at the Enghelab Stadium as they look to secure the victory they need to keep alive their bid for a place in the knockout stage.

“We will go to Iran to get a win because it is our only way to maintain our chances to qualify from the group,” he said.

“We might face big crowd against Saipa but we are used to playing under big pressure.

“Saipa have a good team and they showed in previous matches that they are excellent on both the technical and physical sides.

“But our players have plenty of experience and hopefully they can use it to their advantage and come back with a win.

“We will go into the match with plenty of confidence especially as Jaziri and Macanga are back and they will be good additions.”