2017 AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

[nisfejahan]

I wish Iran played in Armenia instead of Oman or UAE. Yerevan is a great place to visit with a lot of friendly Armenians and Iranian Armenians. It is also easy to reach for Iranians.

Besides the cold weather would do those Saudis a bit of good.......

[Farhad-7]

^Armenia is not in AFC

[nisfejahan]

^Armenia is not in AFC

Is there a rule that games not played at home because of political issues have to be played in AFC countries?!!

[saadat_abad]

Is there a rule that games not played at home because of political issues have to be played in AFC countries?!!

well yes.. since its ASIA champions league. dubai cant host arsenal vs bayern because its EUROPEAN champions league.

[Farhad-7]

Is there a rule that games not played at home because of political issues have to be played in AFC countries?!!

According to Taj in an interview from couple months ago, yes.

[04041374]

So Persepolis Shans ovord Hesaabi! Taremi have some yellow cards from two years a go ACL and can't play against Al-Hilal, no one in club noticed it and someone in federation let them know, they got really lucky on this one. Now who will play as striker?

Taremi was sent off in his last ACL game against Al-Hilal in 2015. IFF decided to let him serve his suspension for the upcoming official game, which was the league-opener against Padideh. However, he is still suspended by AFC.

Previously, it was possible to serve a suspension in another competition, but that rule changed.

http://90tv.ir/news/366304/%D9%85%D8...A8%D9%88%D8%AF

[04041374]

Esteghlal Khuzestan's ACL kit

[Team Melli Fan]

Umbro logo, Adidas stripes, Iranian version

[irani8perspolis]

AFC made a mistake. Taremi can play against Al Hilal (or he should be able to).

[Team Melli Fan]

We're losing direct ACL spots with our league. Our national team is the only thing keeping us up:

[Z Joon]

2017 AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

After Esteghlal's match Rahmati now has the highest number of clean sheets in ACL history with 16

[webmaster]

Persepolis coach cracks the whip ahead of Al Wahda tie

Boss Ivankovic, formerly Al Wahda manager, sends two players home for ‘disciplinary reasons’

Al Wahda team training ahead of their AFC Champions League Group D clash with Iranian club Persepolis at the Al Nahyan Stadium. The match kicks off today at 7.10pm UAE time.
Published: 19:54 February 27, 2017 N. D. Prashant, Staff Reporter




Abu Dhabi: All is not well in Iranian club Persepolis’ camp ahead of their AFC Champions League Group D clash against the UAE’s Al Wahda at the Al Nahyan Stadium on Tuesday, kick-off 7.10pm.

Coach Banko Ivankovic, who was the coach of Al Wahda for a season in 2012-2013, has come down hard on two of his players ahead of the clash. Defender Ramin Rezaeiansemeskandi and striker Ali Alipourghara have been sent home.

Ivankovic, however, brushed aside that the move has done any harm to his side’s aspirations ahead of the tie.

“Our team is nearly at full strength but yes we have left out two players Rezaeiansemeskandi and Alipourghara for disciplinary reasons. However, it has not changed anything. Our ambition is to do best as possible and we will give our best,” said Ivankovic, adding that the move is not something unusual for clubs.

“Such decision has to be taken depending on the situation and reaction, and the atmosphere within the team. That’s what I have done,” asserted Ivankovic, who revealed that he has cherished some good memories from his stint at Al Wahda.

“I have good memories from Al Wahda and now I’m in the opposite side and we are proud and honoured to participate in the Champions League,” said Ivankovic who feels that they are in the group of death and there is very little room for error.

“It’s the hardest group in the competition in the Champions League with Al Hilal, the best team in Saudi Arabia; Al Rayyan a strong team from Qatar and Al Wahda that is one of the best teams in the UAE. We are also a strong side and one of the best teams in Iran,” said Ivankovic, whose side comes into the match after a 1-1 draw against Al Hilal.
“I know some of the players during my time at Wahda — like Ismail Matar and Hamdan Al Kamali — and (Sebastian) Tagliabue was my player (At Al Ittifaq) in Saudi Arabia. We expect a good, hard game from them. We want to do our best and show a good performance and show our quality,” revealed Ivankovic.

Al Wahda coach Javier Aguirre is of the view that his side have a tough task on hand in front of the home fans, especially having lost their first tie against Qatar’s Al Rayyan at home.

“It will be a very tough game at home also because we are coming after a big defeat in Qatar. Now it is crucial for us to win these three points. We are playing at home against a very good team, who are capable of running for 120 minutes, if necessary. They just run, run and run never stop at all and have a very good coach in Ivankovic. He used to work here in Al Wahda so he knows how it works here,” said Aguirre adding that he has a full team at his disposal and all are raring to go.

“We have a full side by the grace of God and all are in the best of shape. They all are pumped up and want to get those three points and want to give their fans lots to cheer. If we have to stay alive in the group we have no choice but to win,” revealed Aguirre, who chose to keep his cards close to his heart when asked about using his key playmaker Jorge Valdivia from the start.

“Valdivia came in the second half and he made a big impact. I have 25 players and Valdivia is a different quality but he is coming after a long injury lay-off. He needs time to get to top form. Against Al Rayyan I decided he will be a good choice for the second half. The set-piece mistake cost us but maybe he will start tomorrow.”

Wahda’s ace striker Tagliabue reiterated his coach’s sentiments — saying the contest will be tough and they will have to be at the top of their game.

“It will be a tough match. In the last match, we committed two mistakes and conceded two goals. Hopefully, we will not do that here and we will be lucky enough to convert the chances that come our way. Mentally, all the players are ready to give a good performance and want to do well in international matches.”

Elsewhere, 2016 runners-up Al Ain take on Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor in Group C, with both sides looking to record their first three points from the contest.

Al Ain settled for a 1-1 draw at home to Zob Ahan in match one, while Bunyodkor’s 2-0 reversal to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli was their 15th game without a win in the tournament.

“Al Ain managed a single point at home in a match we deserved to win but it is football. We didn’t make use of the opportunities. Bunyodkor gave a strong performance in the first round of the competition. They have skilful players and have a fluent style of play. I expect a tough match and we will have to put our best performance,” said Al Ain coach Zoran Mamic.

[PersianLegion]

Asian clubs performance after two rounds of group stage matches
Iranian clubs: 4 clubs, 4 W, 2 D, 2 L, 12 GF, 8 GA, 14 P
Saudi clubs: 4 clubs, 4 W, 2 D, 2 L, 10 GF, 9 GA, 14 P
Qatari clubs: 2 clubs, 2 W, 1 D, 1 L, 8 GF, 5 GA, 7 P
Emirati clubs: 4 clubs, 2 W, 1 D, 5 L, 9 GF, 15 GA, 7 P
Uzbek clubs: 2 clubs, 1 W, 0 D, 3 L, 4 GF, 6 GA, 3 P

Chinese clubs: 3 clubs, 5 W, 1 D, 0 L, 18 GF, 4 GA, 16 P
Japanese clubs: 4 clubs, 4 W, 2 D, 2 L, 18 GF, 10 GA, 14 P
Korean clubs: 4 clubs, 2 W, 2 D, 4 L, 15 GF, 13 GA, 8 P
Thai clubs: 1 club, 1 W, 1 D, 0 L, 2 GF, 1 GA, 4 P
HongKong clubs: 1 club, 0 W, 1 D, 1 L, 1 GF, 8 GA, 1 P
Aussie clubs: 3 clubs, 0 W, 1 D, 5 L, 2 GF, 20 GA, 1 P

Overall gained points ratio per country
Chinese (16/18) 88.9% :thumbsup::thumbsup:
Thais (4/6) 66.7% :thumbsup:
Iranians (14/24) 58.3%
Saudis (14/24) 58.3%
Japanese (14/24) 58.3%
Qataris (7/12) 58.3%
Koreans (8/24) 33.3%
Emiratis (7/24) 29.2%
Uzbeks (3/12) 25%
HongKongs (1/6) 16.7%
Aussies (1/18) 5.5% :thumbsdown::speechless:

Top 3 overall scoring goal ratio
Overall Chinese clubs scored 3 goals per match :thumbsup:
Overall Japanese clubs scored 2.25 goals per match
Overall Qatari clubs scored 2 goals per match

Top 3 overall least scoring goal ratio
Overall Australian clubs scored 0.33 goals per match :thumbsdown::speechless:
Overall Hongkong club scored 0.5 goals per match
Overall Uzbek/Thai clubs scored 1 goals per match

Top 3 overall least conceding goal ratio
Overall Chinese clubs conceded 0.5 goal per match :thumbsup:
Overall Thai clubs conceded 0.5 goal per match :thumbsup:
Overall Iranian clubs conceded 1 goal per match

Top 3 overall most conceding goal ratio
Overall Hongkong club conceded 4 goals per match :thumbsdown::sick:
Overall Australian clubs conceded 3.3 goals per match
Overall Emirati clubs conceded 1.87 goals per match

Best defense:
Esteghlal Khuzestan (Iran) with 0 conceded goal :thumbsup:
Worst defense:
Western Sydney Wanderers (Australia) with 9 conceded goals
Best offense:
Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) and Guangzhou Evergrande (China) with 9 goals :thumbsup:
Worst offense:
Brisbane Roar (Australia) and Al-Jazira (UAE) with 0 goal

Overall Chinese clubs have shown the best results and Australian clubs failed miserably.

[Z Joon]

Taremi was the 5th best ACL player of the week behind Alex Texeira with a 8.6 rating

[04041374]

And Padovani made it to the team of the week