TEHRAN, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Zob Ahan soccer club head coach Alireza Mansourian expects a tough challenge against Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad in the 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16, Tasnim news agency reported on Friday.
"I have analyzed the Al Ittihad team, and have seen all its matches of last season" both in the Saudi Pro League and AFC Champions League, he was quoted as saying.
Mansourian, however, is confident the Iranian side will overcome Al Ittihad.
Zob Ahan, who are in pre-season training, will face Al Ittihad on August 5 and 13 and Mansourian said his players are working hard to ensure they will be ready.
"We have been focusing on fitness and strength training. We are working very hard to be in perfect condition for the match against Al Ittihad," Mansourian said.
"We will have almost a new team for the Round of 16 as many players from the previous Champions League season are no longer with us," he added.
"We will be competing in the AFC Champions League with a much younger team. The players lack experience but are fighters, and we have worked more on their mental and emotional preparation. Certainly, we will not have an easy match but neither will Al Ittihad," he concluded.
