🔻Yaser Asani, Esteghlal’s star, at a press conference before the match with Al-Shamal Qatar in the AFC Champions League said: “Everyone knows what kind of club Esteghlal is. Esteghlal is the biggest name in Asia. In any country it plays, it has so many supporters that it can create the feeling of a home match for the team.”

🔹Asani said: “Three points in tomorrow’s match are very important, and we are aware of Al-Shamal’s high quality. On the other side, every club that faces Esteghlal knows it will be up against a high-quality team and that Esteghlal has great players.”

🔹He continued: “We know Al-Shamal is a strong team with quality players, but we also have good players. We are here to give 100 percent of our ability on the field and fight for our fans.”

🔹Asani, regarding Esteghlal hosting the match in Basra, said: “When we came to Iraq, we knew that in order to hold a home match we would have to play outside Iran. I hope that tomorrow all those who love Esteghlal and the Iranians of Iraq will come to the stadium to support us. We need our fans’ support.”