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Sports 27/04/2010 Parreira predicts tough time from Pakhtakor
Parreira predicts tough time from Pakhtakor
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Al Shabab host Uzbeks Pakhtakor at King Fahd International Stadium in a match that is certain to be a tense affair with both sides needing victory to be assured of a place in the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League.

Nothing less than three points will do for Saudis Al Shabab as they currently sit third in Group C with seven points, one behind Iran’s Sepahan and two behind Pakhtakor.

Al Shabab are unbeaten at home in the tournament and will be keen to maintain that record against Pakhtakor, who can afford to draw but are unlikely to risk a defensive strategy and instead go all out for victory.

“There is no doubt that the match will be tough since its going to be against Pakhtakor, who have many good players," said Al Shabab coach Edgar Parreira, the Riyadh side’s youth coach who took over the senior team following the dismissal of Jaime Pacheco

“The players and I have been working hard to ensure we are ready to get an important win in what is our last chance to reach the next round,” continued the Brazilian.

Al Shabab head into the game on the back of two defeats having lost 1-0 to Sepahan in their last ACL game before suffering a 2-0 defeat to Al Ittihad in the semi-finals of their domestic King’s Cup and Parreira admitted he will make tactical changes for the game against Pakhtakor.

“I will try a completely different strategy from the one used against Al Ittihad,” he added.

"Each match has its own circumstances and that is what we will see in Tuesday match.”

Pakhtakor coach Miodrag Radulovic, meanwhile, is expecting a difficult game but warned his opponents that his side will attack from the outset.

“I know Al Shabab very well and it will not be easy for both teams,” he said.

"Even though there are a couple of scenarios that will see us qualify to the next stage, we will still attack from the beginning to ensure we finish top of the group, which I believe has been one of the strongest groups.

“While Al Shabab have lost their two recent games they still have the important factor of the fans behind them at their ground.”

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