Skocic Salutes Youngsters as Future Stars Inspire Foolad’s First Win

AFC – AHWAZ, Foolad signed off from their 2015 AFC Champions League campaign with a 1-0 win over Lokomotiv Tashkent that left coach Dragan Skocic praising his young players despite his side’s early elimination from the competition.

Bahman Jahantigh scored the only goal of the game a minute from time as the Iranians picked up their first win of the campaign to finish in third in Group C, two points ahead of the Uzbeks but four adrift of second-placed Al Sadd from Qatar.

“I’m happy we got the three points, but I’m not satisfied with the first-half performance at all,” said the Croatian (pictured).

“So I decided to give time to my young players in the second half and you saw the result. I promise these young players will be Foolad’s stars in a couple of years.

“As a coach I believe in the potential of young players and I’ve never been afraid of using them.

“We came here to get a win and fortunately we got it but for the next year I will prepare a better team to compete in the AFC Champions League.”

The defeat ensured Lokomotiv finished bottom of the group having also only won once in the 2015 edition of the continental championship, and that secured against Al Sadd back on Matchday Three.

Lokomotiv coach Vadim Abramov felt the conditions played a major role in his side’s defeat, contributing to the mistakes made late in the game.

“That was a good game and you saw my players fought 80 minutes,” said the former Uzbekistan national team head coach.

“In the final 10 minutes we had a couple of mistakes in defence while my players were exhausted playing in the very hot weather of Ahwaz. Foolad is a very good and professional team with young and talented players.”