AFC - Iranian striker Mehrdad Oladi has vowed to remind Al Shabab fans of his prolific talents when the United Arab Emirates side open their AFC Champions League Group D campaign against Sepahan in Esfahan on Wednesday.

Oladi has struggled to cement a place in the Al Shabab starting line-up since signing for them from Piroozi three years ago.

But three goals in his last four matches have served notice of his abilities and he is confident he can take that prodigious form into the clash with the 2007 AFC Champions League runners-up.

"Sepahan are a big team who have been successful in Iran and Asia and I hope both teams can put on a show for the fans,” said Oladi.

"It has been a long time since I played against an Iranian club. I know it's going to be live on television and I'm very motivated to show my talents to the fans."

But Shabab, who won the domestic title last season, head into the match struggling for consistent form in the UAE Premier League, where they currently sit in mid-table.

In contrast, Sepahan lie fifth in the Iran Pro League and are unbeaten in their last three matches at their Foolad Shahr stadium.

They suffered a season of disappointments last year, narrowly missing out on the quarter-finals of the ACL while Piroozi heartbreakingly edged them to the domestic championship in the last minute of the season.

But manager Farhad Kazemi is in bullish mood and believes his side should fear no one in the competition.

"Sepahan have been runners-up in Asia and there are high expectations,” he said. “We mustn't say that we're in a difficult group because we aren't afraid of anyone.

"We've prepared excellently and with our fans' support, we'll beat Al-Shabab."

The Yellows go into the match with the usual worries over the fitness of their injury-prone playmaker and captain Moharram Navidkia.

He has been out of action for the past few weeks with an injury but is expected to be fit enough to play some part in the encounter.
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