Persepolis Can’t Underestimate Group Stage Opponents: Jalal Hosseini
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Captain Jalal Hosseini said Persepolis football team will not underestimate its opponents in its quest to earn a place in the 2021 AFC Champions League knockout stage.
Persepolis is making its 11th appearance in the Continental showpiece and has India’s FC Goa, Al-Rayyan of Qatar and UAE’s Al-Wahda FSCC for company in Group E.
The Iranian heavyweight lost its second final in three years when it was defeated 2-1 by Korea Republic’s Ulsan Hyundai last season.
Despite the heartbreak, the 39-year-old Hosseini believes he and his teammates are focused and ready for the new challenge.
“The teams that are in this stage have worked hard to get here and have good planning,” the former Iran international center-back told the-AFC.com.
“We cannot say which team is stronger or which group is more difficult because all the teams are at a high level and we have to prepare for all the games.
“Our preparations are going well for the AFC Champions League group stage matches in India. We had a tough match in the Iran Professional League (before arriving in Goa) but we are ready.”
Persepolis will kick its 2021 AFC Champions League campaign against Al-Wahda Wednesday night.
“I hope the playing conditions will be favorable for us and we perform well in our first match. The AFC Champions League has different challenges and we have to play every three days. These conditions make things difficult for us, but I hope we get better game by game.
