Branko expects tough test for Persepolis in AFC Champions League

Tehran Times – TEHRAN, Persepolis Croatian head coach Branko Ivankovic believes that his team has been drawn in a difficult group in the AFC Champions League.

“We’ve been drawn in a tough group. Al Rayyan and Al Hilal are the best teams of their countries while Al Wahda, who has a better chance of qualifying from the playoff round, is a strong team too,” Branko said.

“All teams have an equal chance of qualifying as the competition in our group is very close, however our goal is to qualify for the next round which is depending on how good we could strengthen our squad in the January transfer window,” he added.

IPL runner-up Persepolis has been pitted against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, Qatari Al Rayyan and the play-off winner of UAE/JOR/IN.

Persepolis has won just once in four encounter against Al Hilal. The Saudi side has won twice while they finished 1-1 in March 2012.

Persepolis has won the sole encounter against Qatari side Al Rayyan when the two teams met in December 1996.

Persepolis is currently top of Iran Professional League table after 13 weeks with 29 points.