Isfahan: Coach Sergey Lushchan insists that only three points will do for Bunydokor in Tuesday’s AFC Champions League Group B tie with Iranian hosts Zobahan as they aim to end their 11-game winless run on the continent.
The Uzbek League side have not come out on top in an AFC Champions League tie since Matchday Six of the 2014 tournament, when they defeated Qatar’s El Jaish to secure a place in the Round of 16, and they also endured a disastrous 2015 campaign where they finished bottom of their group with just one point from six games.
Semi-finalists in 2008 and 2012, Bunyodkor now go into Tuesday’s encounter at Foolad Shahr Stadium in third place in the group with just two points from the first half of the group stage – three behind both Zobahan and group leaders Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia – and in the knowledge that a victory is needed to put their Round of 16 hopes back on track.
“We will try to win the match since we are not in a good position in the AFC Champions League table,” said Bunyodkor coach Lushchan, whose side were held to a goalless draw at home when the Uzbeks played Zobahan in Matchday Three (pictured)
“Everything depends on Tuesday’s game. If we win the game, it could change the course of things. We have been in the same situation before and despite our little chances we managed to qualify.
“We’ll adopt an attacking strategy and we will try to win. We know that Zobahan has a good defensive line so maybe we won’t have many scoring chances but we have to use every opportunity to score.”
Opposite number Yahya Golmohammadi, meanwhile, takes his side into the encounter undefeated after following up an away victory over Qatar’s Lekhwiya with successive goalless draws.
And although Zobahan have scored just one goal in three games, their miserly defence that is yet to concede in the 2016 AFC Champions League will again be an important factor according to their coach.
“The main goal of each team is first not to concede goals and next to use the opportunities and score,” said Zobahan coach Golmohammadi.
“Despite scoring just once, our good defensive performances have helped us become one of the favourites [to go through]. It’s important that we don’t concede goals.
“On Tuesday, we will play against a high quality, technical team. We hope that with the backing of our supporters we can put in a good performance and achieve our goal of taking all three points.”
Photo: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com