Al Rayyan players, officials and supporing staff pose for a photograph upon their arrival in Tehran on the eve of their AFC Champions League clash against Esteghlal.
TEHRAN: Al Rayyan will be looking for a win against group leaders Esteghlal, coach Michael Laudrup said ahead of the team’s AFC Champions League clash today.
Al Rayyan, who have 6 points from 4 matches, will tackle home team Esteghlal at Azadi Stadium where crowd pressure can be a tough task for visitors to counter.
“We have the experience in dealing with crow pressure,” Laudrup said yesterday. “Our goal is to get to the round of 16. We can do it. We presented a big game in Doha (against Al Hilal),” the popular Dane added.
Victory for either Esteghlal or Al Rayyan when the pair clash in Group D of the AFC Champions League at Azadi Stadium today would secure their passage into the knockout stage with a game to spare.
“It will be a difficult match for both teams but we seek to return with the three points,” Laudrup said.
Al Rayyan defender Saud Al Khater said: “We have studied Esteghlal really well. We will work to create early attacks and play to our strengths. It will be 11 players against 11 players and yes, crowd pressure is always there but that is not an hindrance to us.”
Esteghlal played out a 1-1 draw with Al Ain on their last appearance in Tehran when 90,000 spectators turned out to see the Iranian giants maintain their unbeaten run and remain on top of the standings.
Al Rayyan talisman Rodrigo Tabata scored the decisive goal as the Qatari team defeated Al Hilal 2-1 to claim their first victory of what is also an undefeated campaign and move level on six points with today’s opponents.
With the sides playing out a 2-2 draw in the opening game of the group stage, three points for either ensures a better head-to-head record and would relieve any pressure going into the final round of fixtures.
Esteghlal, who have never lost at home to a Qatari side on the continent, warmed up for the game with a 2-1 league win over Naft Tehran on Thursday while Al Rayyan, who have had a two-week break, welcome Sebastian Soria back into the fold after the striker served a one-match ban.
