Poor start for Saipa and Sepahan in ACL

Persianmirror - Iran's representatives in the Asian Champions League (ACL) got off to a poor start in the group stage collecting only 1 point between them. The current Persian Gulf League (PGL) champions Saipa FC had to come from behind to draw despite controlling the match from start to finish whilst Hazfi Cup holders Sepahan lost at home.

Saipa made their first ever appearance in ACL away to Al Kuwait, this was also Daei's debut as a head coach in an international match. This match also served as a warm-up for Iran's forthcoming world cup qualifier against Kuwait to be played on March 26th. Al Kuwait head coach the Croat Rodion Gacanin happens to be the head coach of Kuwait national team just as Saipa's head coach Ali Daei is the head coach of Iran national side 'Team Melli', the two coaches will therefore go head-to-head once again later this month. It should also be noted that 7 of Kuwait national team players play in Al Kuwait FC, this match therefore provided Daei and his advisers with an excellent opportunity to assess Team Melli's next opponent.

The match itself was pretty one-sided other than the final score; Saipa created numerous goal scoring opportunities but failed to convert them, they were punished for their inconsistency in front of the goal when a defensive blunder allowed Khaled Ajab to score in the last minute of the first half to put the home side in front, the last minute Al Kuwait goal came against the run of play and was a devastating blow to Saipa.

Second half started with Al Kuwait taking the initiative but a double substitution for Saipa changed the flow of the match in favour of Iranian side, the substitute Milad Zanopour scored Saipa's equaliser from free-kick with a powerful shot which left Al Kuwait keeper as a mere spectator! Al Kuwait were reduced to 10 men when Al Taher was red-carded for a second bookable offence in 80th minute but Saipa failed to score again, the match ended 1-1. Technically speaking an away draw is not a bad result, however, on balance of play and chances created Saipa will be most disappointed not to have bagged all 3 points. I would expect Team Melli to beat Kuwait if the balance of this match is anything to go by.

Earlier in the day Sepahan kick started their ACL campaign against Al Ittihad of Syria with high hopes after their fantastic run in the tournament last season becoming the first Iranian club to reach an ACL final. There was a change at the helm in Sepahan early this year with the Croat Luka Bonacic parting company and Brazilian Jorvan Vieira taking over as head caoch. Sepahan defeated Al Ittihad in last year's group stage at home and away with an aggregate score of 7-1. The Syrian's defended in numbers and tried to block Sepahan in centre back, although Sepahan found it difficult to deal with Syrian tactic of defence and counter-attack they still managed to penetrate Ittihad's back line on several occasions, Sepahan had enough clear-cut chances to score 3 or 4 goals but failed to convert any of their chances.

Disaster struck for Sepahan 19 minutes into the match when defender Mohsen Bengar was sent off for a foul, this was followed with Ittihad's opening goal from the resulting free-kick and converted by Jesus Gomez. Despite all their second half efforts and numerous chances created Sepahan failed to put the ball in the back of the net and were duly punished 3 minutes from time with Abdulfatah Al Agha scoring Ittihad's second goal. Sepahan were clearly missing Mahmoud Karimi upfront and Moharam Navidkia in midfield, both players played a key role in Sepahan's success of last season's ACL.

The home defeat was the worst possible start Sepahan could have made especially against the team they defeated twice last season. There are 5 matches left in the group stage though and time for Sepahan in particular but also Saipa to recover from their early setbacks, neither side can afford to slip-up again with only the group winners qualifying for the quarter finals.

By Afshin Dastafshan
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