TEHRANTIMES - Persepolis coach Mustafa Denizli is anticipating a win against Al Gharafa in the AFC Champions League group stage.

Persepolis defeated the Qatari team 3-0 at the Tani Bin Jassin Stadium in Group D on April 4.

“Persepolis needs four points from next two matches to advance to the next stage as the first team. However, we are going to get six points from our next two matches,” Mustafa Denizli said on Monday in a pre-match news conference.

“I believe in my players. I am optimistic because I know how my players performed during last three matches. They will go to beat Al Gharafa,” the 63-year-old added.  

Asked if Persepolis could defeat Al Gharafa with so many goals on their home turf, Denizli said, “Football is not predictable. Persepolis has had the best goal scoring rate in its last three matches, but at the moment, winning is more important for us. We are just concentrating on getting three points in our matches,” Denizli said.


Al Gharafa coach Paulo Silas said that his team would not come to Tehran to lose against Persepolis.

Al Gharafa lost to Persepolis 3-0 at the Tani Bin Jassin Stadium in Group D on April 4.

“I’ve already seen the Iranian players in the Arabian clubs and I know that they are so talented,” the Brazilian said.

“Persepolis will be supported by its numerous fans in the match against Al Gharafa, however it doesn’t mean our team will lose this match,” the 47-year-old added.

“Our defenders made some silly mistakes against Persepolis in Doha and I believe that if our players don’t make mistakes in this match, we can get a result in Tehran,” Silas said.
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