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Esteghlal coach Parviz Mazloumi: Our 2012 AFC Champions League campaign is in the 'name of Iran'
The Iranian giants are now looking forward to a clash with Saudi Arabia's Al Ettifaq who are coached by former Team Melli coach Branko Ivankovic
Feb 11, 2012 3:31:00 AM
By Ben Somerford
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Tehran giants Esteghlal will face Saudi Arabia's Al Ettifaq in the final round of play-offs for the 2012 Asian Champions League after defeating Zob Ahan 2-0 in their qualifier on Thursday.
Khosro Heidari and Arash Borhani scored the goals for Esteghlal while former Premier League defender Jlloyd Samuel was the star of the show with two assists.
Esteghlal will now face Al Ettifaq, who are coached by ex-Iran national team boss Branko Ivankovic, in Tehran on February 18.
Blues boss Parviz Mazloumi said they'd prepare well for the game as they hoped to prove victorious for the pride of the nation.
"We are thinking about Ettifaq from today. I hope even more fans come as we're now talking about the name of Iran," Mazloumi told reporters.
He added: "I congratulate the Zob Ahan technical staff for helping put on an attractive match and I thank the fans for supporting us in the rain."
Zob Ahan coach Mansour Ebrahimzadeh, who led the club to the 2010 ACL final, said: "In the end, we lost thanks to two mistakes. Nobody picked up Samuel. Until the second goal we had all the possession and they were thinking about the counter attack.
"I hope that Esteghlal can go all the way to the final."
Khosro Heidari and Arash Borhani scored the goals for Esteghlal while former Premier League defender Jlloyd Samuel was the star of the show with two assists.
| Bet: | Returns: | Al Ittifaq £11.25 | Draw £50.00 | Ittihad £290.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Al Ittifaq £30.00 | Draw £33.00 | Ittihad £21.00 |
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Esteghlal will now face Al Ettifaq, who are coached by ex-Iran national team boss Branko Ivankovic, in Tehran on February 18.
Blues boss Parviz Mazloumi said they'd prepare well for the game as they hoped to prove victorious for the pride of the nation.
"We are thinking about Ettifaq from today. I hope even more fans come as we're now talking about the name of Iran," Mazloumi told reporters.
He added: "I congratulate the Zob Ahan technical staff for helping put on an attractive match and I thank the fans for supporting us in the rain."
Zob Ahan coach Mansour Ebrahimzadeh, who led the club to the 2010 ACL final, said: "In the end, we lost thanks to two mistakes. Nobody picked up Samuel. Until the second goal we had all the possession and they were thinking about the counter attack.
"I hope that Esteghlal can go all the way to the final."
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Al-Ettifaq - Al Ittihad
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Al-Ettifaq 8-0 Al Ittihad
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