May 2, 2006
afcchampionsleague.com

KUWAIT CITY – Foolad's preparations for Wednesday's Group A clash with Al Qadisiya were hit with the news that Iraqi international Emad Mohammad has left the Iranian club.

Mohammad's contract expired at the end of April and the 23-year-old striker announced he would not remain with the 2005 Iran Pro League champions.

"It's clear that we are not going to advance to the knock-out stage of the Champions League so that is why I decided to leave the club," said Mohammad. "I have taken my decision and I'm not going to renew my contract with Foolad."

Foolad's campaign in the continental championship has been disappointing with Nenad Nikolic's team picking up just four points in the first four games to lie in third place in the group, five points adrift of group leaders Pakhtakor.

Despite a 6-0 opening day win over Al Qadisiya, Foolad's form has suffered since, with a draw against Al Ittihad and a pair of defeats against the group leaders from Uzbekistan.

Nikolic's team is further weakened following the Croatian coach's decision not to take national team boss Branko Ivankovic up on his offer to release Iran internationals Ebrahim Mirzapour and Hossein Kaebi.

To add to the club's problems, Nigerian Daniel Okechukwu did not travel to Kuwait for the game following a dispute with the coach, who branded the striker's performances as "poor".

Al Qadisiya, meanwhile, go into the game looking to avenge that opening day drubbing and will be on a high after a 1-0 win over Al Arabi saw them lift the Crown Prince Cup.

Khalaf Al Salama scored the only goal of the game as Al Qadisiya guaranteed their participation in next year's AFC Champions League with the victory.

However, Kuwaiti international defender Jamal Mubarak will miss his second ACL game in row due to injury while Abdulrahman Al Zahamil is suspended after picking up a second yellow card of the group stage in late 1-0 win against Al Ittihad.

Burkina Faso striker Seydou Traore and Brazilian midfielder Lucio are both injury doubts for Al Qadisiya, with Traore almost certainly out with a hamstring problem.