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Wednesday, October 24, 2007
AFC Champions League, Asia

6:00 PM Al Wahda (UAE) 2.15 X 3.35 Sepahan (IRN) 2.70 +3

Jumaa set to boost Al Wahda
By Amith Passela
24 October 2007

ABU DHABI — Abdulraheem Jumaa returns to action in more than two months to add more muscle for Al Wahda’s AFC Champions League semifinal second leg against Sepahan of Iran tonight at Al Nahyan stadium. Kick off time at 8pm.

The UAE international midfielder suffered a leg injury when on national duty during the Asian Cup in July. His return is expected to boost Al Wahda’s chances to reverse the 3-1 defeat in the away leg a fortnight ago.

Al Wahda’s Brazilian coach Ivo Wortmann expects Jumaa to play an influential role in tonight’s clash, which they have to win by at least 2-0 score to stay in the competition.

“Abdulraheem is an experienced player and even after a two-month layoff he can walk into a game to play a big role,” Wortmann told reporters at the pre-match conference yesterday.

“The better players grow under pressure and Abdulraheem is such a player for me. He has been in the national team for a long time and he knows how to play under pressure. Obviously we can look up to him to play a big game,” added the Brazilian.

Al Wahda played with 10 players for nearly 70 minutes of the away leg in Esfahan after Yasser Abdulla was booked for the second time by Singapore referee Abdul Malik Abdul Bashir.

Wortmann is under no illusion Al Wahda will return victorious in the two-legged format but was confident his team will not throw away the chances of reaching the final without a fight.

“We have a good squad of which five are members of the current national team. We have prepared well and are going into this game 100 per cent. I think we did well in the away leg despite the 3-1 result.”

Al Wahda equalised through Mohammed Al Shehhi early in the second half but Sepahan regained the lead through striker Mahmoud Karimi’s second goal of the match and then added a third late in the game from a spot kick fired by skipper Moharram Navidkia.

Sepahan’s Croatian coach Luka Bonacic is quietly fancying his team to reach the final by holding to the home leg advantage.

Bonacic said, “We have a good opportunity to reach the final. I’m sure the boys can handle the crowd as they have played in stadiums with over 100,000. It’s going to be a tough for both teams.

“We have a lot of respect for Al Wahda. They are good side. The first 20 minutes of the match will be very crucial for us.

“Al Wahda can be dangerous through Ismail Matar and Mohammed Al Shehhi. I also know Croatian pro Mohammed Sharbini’s ability.

"I have seen him play in Croatia and he can be dangerous even 60 metres away. So we are aware of the dangers and are ready for it.”