Dushanbe: After a disappointing AFC Cup campaign last year, 2015 runners-up FC Istiklol have returned in style in this year’s competition, winning Group D with an unbeaten record to be crowned Central Asian Zonal champions.
Manuchehr Dzhalilov netted four times in the Tajik side’s run to the final two years ago, but has already bettered that tally with five this time round. The-AFC.com caught up with the instrumental striker ahead of the Inter-Zone Semi-final, first leg against Ceres Negros of the Philippines on Tuesday.
Q: What kind of match are you expecting against Ceres Negros?
I honestly don’t know too much about our opponents. Of course we respect Ceres Negros because they have reached the semi-finals and I expect it will be a very interesting match, as it always is at this level.
I think it will be an advantage for us to play the first leg in Dushanbe. The fact that we will play in front of our fans is very important because we always need them and their support. We have prepared very well for this match.
Q: What are your thoughts ahead of the game?
I have only one feeling: I want to win. This is the same for all of my teammates.
Q: Which of the Ceres Negros players do you consider the biggest threat?
We don’t have anything to fear about Ceres Negros. We want to win, that’s all.
Q: With five goals scored you are among the top scorers in the tournament. On a personal level, how does that feel?
I really feel the need to score goals, as I think is the case with every striker in the world. I want to become the top scorer in the competition, but what’s more important to me is that Istiklol will win the AFC Cup.
Q: Which of your goals has been the most important in this AFC Cup campaign?
Every goal that I’ve scored is important to me. But if I have to choose one, I can tell you that during the first two matches of the competition I didn’t manage to score.
I kept trying, but it didn’t come. The support of my coach helped me so much and then I managed to score my first goal against FC Alay (a 4-1 win on Matchday Four) in Osh.
Q: And which one do you consider the best?
The goal I like the most is the header in the 4-1 win against Dordoi FC.
Q: At almost 27, you seem to be in the best form of your career. Do you agree?
I feel great. It’s a fantastic moment and I’m not going to stop. I hope that in the future I will get better and better and I still want to improve and do more.
I have a lot of confidence in myself and in my ability. I feel I’m ready to perform in a big European league, but so far I haven't had a chance. In the future, I hope I will.
Q: Do you think that FC Istiklol can win the AFC Cup? Who else is among the favourites?
Every team that take part in the competition have the target of winning, of course, but I really think that we can win the cup. Our main rivals are Al Wahda of Syria.
Q: Finally, why have you chosen the number 63 on your shirt?
The Prophet Muhammad left the world at the age of 63. As a Muslim, this number is very important for me as it is for all the Muslims around the world.
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com