Al Gharafa players during a training session ahead of match against Foolad Khouzestan FC.
Al Gharafa will be determined to turn the corner against Group C leaders Foolad Khouzestan FC today after the Qatari side suffered a devastating 8-2 defeat in the AFC Champions League (ACL) 2022 three days ago.
Head coach Andrea Stramaccioni described the defeat as ‘crazy’, with a lapse in concentration leading to Al Gharafa’s first defeat of the campaign.
“Our AFC Champions League performance has been satisfactory until the last game.
We didn’t expect to lose our mentality in 50 minutes. That was something crazy and unexpected. But now we want to turn the page and show everyone the real Al Gharafa,” said the Italian.
“We are a young team and this is our project but I know the value of my players and I believe in them. I must insist that we have played well and Al Gharafa must move on from the defeat and show that we deserve to be at this level.”
Al Gharafa lie in third place on five points, three from the leaders Foolad, making Friday’s match a crucial tie for the Qataris.
“We have to recharge our mental energy and be ready for the game. The team know how to play and we will play like how we did in the first three games.
“I will not consider making big changes because it wasn’t a negative performance by one player but it was a negative performance of the team. Whoever will play tomorrow, they will be ready to play with pride for the team,” said Stramaccioni.
Foolad will enter Matchday Five high in confidence after securing back-to-back victories against Ahal FC. The Iranian club drew 0-0 with Al Gharafa in their first meeting and head coach Javad Nekounam is expecting another tight encounter.
“The match will be hard and the situation in our group is complicated. I don’t think the loss will affect our opponents. They have a good team. If you watched our previous match they defended well against us.
“But tomorrow will be a new game and we need our full concentration to win the game. Their coach is good and smart and he knows about our team because of his past experience of managing in IR Iran,” said Nekounam.
