Saipa looks to Daei experience

AFC - KUALA LUMPUR, Saipa Managing Director Mehrdad Hashemi is hoping that the vast playing experience of head coach Ali Daei will help the Iran champions in next year’s AFC Champions League

“We are back in Asian club competition for the first time in 12 years and I hope our coach Ali Daei’s experience helps the team to be successful,” said Hashemi, following the tournament draw at AFC House on Monday.

Saipa, who defeated Thai Farmers Bank 2-1 to finish third in the 1995/96 Asian Club Championship, were drawn in Group B of the 2008 ACL and will take on UAE double winners Al Wasl, Kuwait Sports Club, and Iraqi side Al Quwa Al Jawiya.

Daei, recognised as the all-time international goal scorer in men’s football with 109 goals in 149 appearances for Iran, Daei has experience playing in the UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich and Hertha Berlin as well as in the AFC Champion League with Saba Battery.

The 38-year-old was appointed Saipa player-coach in October 2006 and after leading the Tehran side to the 2006/07 Iran Pro League title.

Meanwhile, Al Wasl General Secretary Waleed Al Shaibani was happy that the Dubai side’s debut in the competition doesn’t involve too much arduous travel.

We are playing for the first time in this competition and we are using our league matches as preparations for this.

“We have to play in nearby countries which will make travel and management of the team a lot easier.”

Two-time former champions Al Ittihad’s member of board of directors, Ahmed Hinnawi said his side is itching to get back the silverware they won in 2004 and 2005.

“We have rebuilt our team and started getting the results since last year when we won the domestic league. We have enough experience of playing in the AFC Champions League and I hope we have the ability to regain the crown,” he said.