Pakhtakor coach says team ready for Al-Ahli clash in AFC Champions League

Pakhtakor head coach Pedro Moreira has confirmed his team is ready to take on Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli in the opening round of the AFC Champions League Elite group stage, with the match set for Tuesday at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Moreira expressed his delight at starting the club’s continental campaign in Jeddah. He said the team has completed preparations following a long journey to the Kingdom, and all players are in peak condition.

Moreira described Al-Ahli as one of Asia’s top teams, featuring a roster of players with European and international experience. He acknowledged the scale of the challenge and stressed that Pakhtakor is ready to compete with strong team spirit and focus to secure a positive result in their first continental outing.

He noted that opening matches require high levels of mental and technical readiness, adding that Pakhtakor will approach the game with confidence and respect for their opponents, aiming to capitalize on opportunities and stick to their tactical plan.

Pakhtakor’s preparations for the match

Pakhtakor midfielder Ibrokhim Ibragimov said the team has undergone intensive preparations, including analysis of Al-Ahli’s strengths and key technical aspects of their play. He emphasized that the match will be a tough test against one of the continent’s leading clubs.

Ibragimov added that Pakhtakor’s players are determined to meet the expectations of their fans, stating that their goal is to give maximum effort on the pitch and achieve a positive result to boost their campaign before returning to Tashkent to continue competing for qualification spots.