AFC Cup
Clashing for the first time in AFC competitions in the red dominated ground located in Bahrain’s northern island are two of the competition’s perennial contenders, both eyeing a second AFC Cup after a decade away from continental glory.
Both clubs share the honour of being the only side from their respective nations to win an AFC competition and the only ones to compete in an AFC Cup final, but for all their proud history in the AFC Cup and before it the Asian Club Championship, the two sides have never met. In fact, Muharraq have never played any Uzbek opponents and Nasaf have never faced a Bahraini side, making for an intriguing clash of styles as pointed out by Muharraq head coach Isa Al Sadoon.
Both clubs share the honour of being the only side from their respective nations to win an AFC competition and the only ones to compete in an AFC Cup final, but for all their proud history in the AFC Cup and before it the Asian Club Championship, the two sides have never met. In fact, Muharraq have never played any Uzbek opponents and Nasaf have never faced a Bahraini side, making for an intriguing clash of styles as pointed out by Muharraq head coach Isa Al Sadoon.
“In the past we were talking about reaching the final and now we are here and it’s an honour for us and for Bahraini football to be here in the showpiece final,” said Al Sadoon.
“It is different in that it is a final against a team we face for the first time. It’s our first time playing a team from Uzbekistan. We are used to playing teams from our own region, but now we face Nasaf; a strong and well-known team. They are fourth in their league table and have experience of playing in the AFC Champions League."
Just like his counterpart Ruzikul Berdiev, Al Sadoon was an assistant coach when his side were crowned AFC Cup champions, but the local boy turned long-serving coach is determined to write his name in the club history by repeating the triumph as head coach.
“Everyone is determined to take this opportunity as we play at home in front of our own fans. We face a strong team, but we hope to put in a performance that pleases our fans and come away with the victory.
"We want to add this title to the 2008 one we won with coach Salman Sharida. Personally, I want to win my first continental trophy as a head coach. We know the fans will be behind us. We hope the players will be mentally in the right state of mind because at the end of the day, they are the ones who will be on the pitch.”
For all the optimism in Al Sadoon’s words, his opposite number Berdiev is determined to crash the hosts’ party, having arrived in the Bahraini capital Manama just 24 hours before the final.
“We know that tomorrow is a very important game between the two best teams in the AFC Cup. It’s an important game for both of us. We came here to play and we are ready,” said Berdiev.
“We watched a few games of Muharraq, and we know they are very good. They play good football and we already explained to our players what to expect. My team is ready and even if we are playing in their home in front of their supporters, it doesn’t add more pressure on us. Our players are professional and will be focused on playing."
With winter setting in the southern Uzbek of Qarshi, home of Nasaf, the players would have left behind temperatures hovering around the freezing points, to arrive at a much milder island with evening temperatures expected to be some 20 degrees higher, but Berdiev is adamant his players are prepared to conquer the challenge as they look to complete a perfect run of seven wins and lift the trophy.
“Because of the pandemic, we did not come here early, we only arrived a day before the match. The weather here is a bit hotter than Uzbekistan, so we explained to the players that this is what we should expect and have to face. We came here to play a game, it’s not going to be a problem.
"Yes, we have good stats in this competition, but the numbers don’t matter in this match. It is only one game and we have to do everything to win this match.”
Muharraq Club (BHR) v FC Nasaf (UZB)
Venue: Sheikh Ali Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium
Kick-off: Friday, 19:00 (UTC+3)
Venue: Sheikh Ali Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium
Kick-off: Friday, 19:00 (UTC+3)
*Poll ends at 23:00 hours (UTC+8) on November 5.
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