Al-Taawoun Wants to Show Positive Image of Saudi Football: Coach
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Al-Taawoun coach Abdullah Asiri says that they want to show a positive image of the team and Saudi football.
Al-Taawoun might be top of the group with full marks, having defeated Sharjah 1-0 then Al Duhail 2-0, but its domestic fortunes were grim.
Coach Abdullah Asiri’s men narrowly managed to secure their stay in the Saudi Pro League on the final day of the campaign after an abysmal post-restart form, but the Saudis are determined to put it behind them.
“There were many reasons for the drop in our level after the restart. We had injuries, COVID-19 cases and many changes to our squad, but we managed to survive. We are now determined to show a positive image of Al-Taawoun and Saudi football,” said Asiri.
Having only appeared in the competition in 2017, Al-Taawoun has been a sort of unknown quality to its opponents, unlike Persepolis who has not missed on AFC Champions League football since 2016.
“Things will be different now. For the first two games, teams knew little about us, but now they know us and will not underestimate us as we are group leaders, so I expect the next run of matches to be more difficult, but we are determined to make it to the next round.”
A win for Al Taawoun in this fixture could go a long way in securing a first Round-of-16 qualification as early as Matchday Four when it faces Persepolis again three days later, while failure to collect points in the double-tie could spell the end of Persepolis’ Asian adventure.