Iran’s Persepolis Ready to Host Uzbekistan’s Nasaf
Tehran (Tasnim) - After achieving their best AFC Champions League performance ever in reaching the semi-final last year, Persepolis begin their 2018 campaign by hosting Uzbekistan’s Nasaf in Group C at Azadi Stadium on Tuesday.
Branko Ivankovic’s Persepolis produced some fine displays en route to the semi-final, where they ultimately fell to Al Hilal, who had also eliminated the Tehran side in the 2015 Round of 16.
Persepolis were unbeaten at their imposing home stadium last year, while the previous time they hosted Uzbek opposition resulted in a 2-1 victory over Bunyodkor in 2015.
Nasaf, meanwhile, are appearing in their third AFC Champions League but have never managed to get beyond the group stage, exiting early in 2015 and 2016.
The Qarshi-based side have also won just once in six attempts, although that was on their only previous visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran when they defeated Tractor Sazi 2-1 in April 2015.