Determinded Bunyodkor ready for ACL - Juraev
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E-mail China.org.cn, February 24, 2014
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Uzbekistan's Bunyodkor reached the last 16 of the AFC Champions League in 2013. |
Midfielder Dilshod Juraev believes two-time semi-finalists Bunyodkor have prepared "better than ever" for this year's AFC Champions League as the Uzbekistan champions look to bounce back from last year's surprise Round of 16 exit at the hands of Thailand's Buriram United, starting with Tuesday's meeting with Saudi Arabian counterparts Al Fateh.
Having reached the knockout stage for a sixth consecutive season last May, group winners Bunyodkor came unstuck against Buriram, losing 2-1 on aggregate after they were held to a goalless draw in the second leg in Tashkent.
But following warm-weather training camps in Dubai, where Mirdjalal Kasimov's side played Russian club Spartak Moscow and Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk, and in Turkey, confidence is high Bunyodkor can rediscover the form which saw the five-time Uzbek League champions reach the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League in both 2008 and 2010.
"Last year's campaign really made us more determined to prepare better than ever for the 2014 tournament," said 22-year-old Juraev.
"We learned a lot from our unlucky defeat to Buriram. We had many chances but couldn't score, and we will try to avoid making those same mistakes this time.
"The AFC Champions League is very important to Bunyodkor, and this year we want to win the trophy. I believe this tournament is our number one aim this year."
In 2012, as in 2008, the Central Asians were one of the final four teams remaining in the continental competition only to lose 5-1 on aggregate by eventual champions Ulsan Hyundai having exited at the same stage to Australia's Adelaide United four years earlier.
This year, though, Bunyodkor face new a challenge with Kasimov's side placed on the West side of the draw for the first time since 2011 having been bracketed with sides from the East in the group stage for the last two seasons.
And Bunyodkor begin their new campaign this year with a trip to Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Stadium to face AFC Champions League debutants Al Fateh, with Qatar's El Jaish and Iran's Foolad Khouzestan completing the Group B line-up.
"East Asian teams are very strong, particularly Japanese sides, so it will be interesting for us this year to play against West Asian teams. It will be another new experience for us," said Juraev, who was on duty for his national team at the AFC U-22 Championship in January.
"Saudi Arabian clubs are always very strong, they have good foreign players and the Saudi climate is unusual for us, which means it could be difficult in the away leg. We know the Iranian national team is very strong, and the Iran league is also very good.
"I want to stress, however, that whoever prepares the best and is the most ready for the game will win the match. Any other strong players on either side it really doesn't matter, it's all about the preparation."
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