AFC Champions League:
Nekounam blames fatigue, disrupted preparations after Al Shamal stalemate
Tractor head coach Javad Nekounam rued his team’s disrupted preparations after the Persian Gulf Pro League outfit shared the spoils with Qatar’s Al Shamal SC in a goalless draw on matchday two of the AFC Champions League Elite in Muscat, Oman, on Monday.
Amid restrictions on Iranian airlines, Tractor players stepped onto the pitch at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, which served as the Iranian club’s home venue for the day, following an exhausting multi-stage trip that included overland travel through Iraq. They had only one training session before the game.
Nekounam nevertheless believed his team, having suffered a 1-0 defeat against the UAE’s Shabab Al Ahli in its opener, did enough to secure its first victory in the league phase of the continental club competition.
“We had a good analysis of our opponents, but we had no time to train. I don’t think we gave them many chances, and the one or two opportunities they created came in the final 15 minutes,” he said.
“We knew we would struggle towards the end because of the fatigue caused by the lengthy trip. The substitutions did not work well, and the substitutes’ poor performances put additional pressure on the team, preventing us from winning.
“We should have taken the three points, and we are disappointed about that. Just as we performed brilliantly in our last league match [against Esteghlal], we played very well here despite spending 18 hours or perhaps even longer travelling.”
Nekounam went on to praise his team’s performance against an Al Shamal side featuring 11 foreign players. The Qatari club had come close to defeating Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad Club on its competition debut before the international break, only to settle for a 1-1 home draw after conceding a stoppage-time equalizer.
“We controlled the game, performed well and created plenty of scoring chances. We gave everything, taking shots and attempting headers, but the ball just would not go into the net,” he said.
“The conditions were there for us to win, but unfortunately, it did not happen.
“As the game approached its closing stages, the effects of the long journey and flight began to take their toll on the players, and we knew we would face difficulties late on. Even so, the team played brilliantly.”
Nekounam concluded by thanking Tractor’s supporters, many of whom had travelled long distances to back their team.
“I am grateful to our fans. Tractor have supporters all over the world, and today, fans came from distant cities and countries. I thank them for that. We are sorry that we could not win. They certainly understand our team’s situation.”
Tractor will be aiming to turn its fortunes around when it takes on in-form UAE side Al Ain FC away from home in a fortnight.
Brilliant Blues
The other Iranian club in the competition, Esteghlal, meanwhile, maintained its perfect record in the league phase, defeating Qatar’s Al Gharafa 2-1 in Al Rayyan.
Prolific winger Jasir Asani, who was a doubt for the game because of an injury concern, started on the bench but was introduced in the 32nd minute after young midfielder Amirmohammad Razzaqinia was forced off injured. Asani needed just five minutes to make his mark with a sensational strike, unleashing a spectacular 20-yard shot that dipped beyond Ahmad Kone’s fingertips and into the top corner.
In an eventful six minutes of first-half stoppage time, Kone made a superb save from Saeid Saharkhizan, while his opposite number, Habib Farabbasi, kept out Al Gharafa’s Adam Ounas’s effort before center-back Aref Aqasi made a timely interception to deny Abdulrahman Faiz Al Rashidi on the rebound.
The home side’s strong start to the second half paid off three minutes in when Ferjani Sassi emerged from a pack of bodies inside the Esteghlal box to side-foot the ball past Farabbasi for the equalizer.
The visitors, however, took advantage of slack goalkeeping by Kone just past the hour mark to restore the lead. Fullback Hossein Goudarzi was given too much space on the left and struck from range, with his effort bouncing off the goalkeeper’s palms and rolling into the bottom-left corner.
“With all due respect to our opponents, I think the better team won today, and we could have scored more goals,” said Esteghlal head coach Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh, whose team had defeated Qatari side Al Sadd 3-0 in its opening game.
“Al Gharafa also had a few goalscoring opportunities, but we did well to keep them at bay.
“The three points were very important, and the effort and dedication of the Esteghlal players were commendable. I salute them all and thank them for their performance.”
While pleased with his side’s attacking display, Bakhtiarizadeh also acknowledged the challenges posed by the weather and injuries to Asani, who went off in the 67th minute, and Razzaqinia.
“The weather conditions were tough, and the injuries to two players also made our job difficult, but my players were able to defend and showed their dedication.”
Esteghlal will be back in action against Shabab Al Ahli at Dubai’s Rashid Stadium on October 27.