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Al Nasr v Sepahan Pre-Match Press Conferences

Al Nasr head coach Walter Zenga insisted that his side’s AFC Champions League Match Day 5 game against Iranian team Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan is still very important, despite the fact that Al Nasr are unable to qualify from the group stages. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, the Italian underlined the fact that any match being played in a big continental competition must be treated with all seriousness, and pointed out that Sepahan are a strong team and deserve to be faced with respect and competitiveness. “My players are ready to face Sepahan; whichever players I field will give everything they have for Al Nasr and they will always fight for the club in every game under all circumstances.”

Meanwhile, opposing coach Zlatko Kranjcar is still hopeful of his team’s chances to qualify to the final 16 of the competition, but is prepared to face a good team from the forefront of the UAE Pro League. Sepahan have faced a run of 6 tough games in 18 days, including two legs against Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli, who lead the AFC Champions League group, but Kranjcar has an almost full complement of players to select from. “Bilal Hussein will miss the match through injury but all the rest of my squad are fit and ready to face Al Nasr, and we hope that we can record a victory in Dubai in order to keep our hopes of qualifying alive.”