AFC Champions League: Al Ain's Hernan Crespo satisfied despite Nasaf draw

AFC Champions League
Al Ain's Crespo satisfied despite Nasaf draw
Thu, 15 February, 2024

Qarshi: Head coach Hernan Crespo was not overly disappointed despite his Al Ain side having to share the spoils with FC Nasaf in the first leg of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

Both sides struggled in front of goal in a hard-fought encounter but Crespo firmly believes Al Ain will get it right in next Wednesday's return leg on home soil.

#ACL - R16 | West Zone | FC Nasaf (UZB) 0-0 Al Ain FC (UAE)

"It was not an easy mission against a strong Nasaf side but we played to win," said Crespo, who had guided Qatar's Al Duhail SC to the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League 2022.

"The draw is not a bad result, as we played away. Nasaf were motivated by the atmosphere and their fans."

Crespo said the roles will be reversed in the return leg, saying he was encouraged by the overall performance of his players, who are looking to make the quarter-finals for the first time since 2017.

"What is sure is that we showed a good performance, but we wasted some chances. However, I believe we can pull through with the return leg to be played in front of our fans."

The winners of the tie will face the victors of the all-Saudi Arabia Round of 16 face off between Al Fayha and Al Nassr in the quarter-finals.

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