Al Hilal Deserved Victory against Sepahan: Coach
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Saudi club Al Hilal’s head coach Jorge Jesus said his side deserved the victory against Sepahan of Iran in the first leg of the 2023-24 AFC Champions League Round of 16.
The Saudi Arabian giant came from a goal behind to beat 10-man Sepahan 3-1 in Isfahan’s Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium.
“We won because we were better and we deserved this win. Congratulations to my players,” Jesus said.
“It is a good advantage and with respect to our opponents, we will continue to play our game and I want to win again,” he added.
Jesus said sending on Mohammed Al Burayk and Al Hamddan in the 72nd minute could change the game for Al Hilal.
“The target was to send on players who are faster and the two of them changed the game,” he said.
“The first half was a bit difficult, but we created two chances at the same time. In the second half we showed our strength and the game became difficult for Sepahan, especially after they had a player sent off,” the Portuguese coach added.
The two teams will meet again next Thursday with the winner to face either Uzbekistan's Navbahor or Al Ittihad FC of Saudi Arabia in the quarterfinals.
