Davronov: Home advantage means we will attack Air Force Club
Kuala Lumpur: Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol will compete in their second AFC Cup final in just three years when they host defending champions Air Force Club of Iraq on Saturday.
Ahead of the game at Hisor Central Stadium, the-AFC.com caught up with pivotal midfielder and the Tajikistan national team captain Nuriddin Davronov to find out his thoughts on the eagerly awaited clash.
Q: FC Istiklol have made it to two AFC Cup finals in three years. What is special about this team?
A: We are more than a team, we are a family. One for all and all for one is the only way we can achieve success. And, of course, the coach is also very important and he has a great attitude towards the players.
Q: You’ve won five games out of five at home. What is the reason behind that perfect record?
A: We are a lot more aggressive and assertive at home because our collective mood is so much more positive. Our fans are also the best in the world so to play in front of them really helps.
Q: Will the experience of playing in the 2015 final help Istiklol this year?
A: Of course, that will help us. That was our first AFC Cup final and we gave it everything we had but we didn’t have any luck. We all know the importance of this match, but it feels different from 2015. There is excitement but we will prepare for the game like it is a normal match, not as we did in 2015.
Q: After going out in the group stage last year, Istiklol have been much stronger again this year. How have the team managed to improve so much?
A: We have been rejuvenated this year and have wanted to show our best performances after failing to do so last year, when we had some new players and suffered some unfortunate results.
Everyone has now gotten used to each other and [Ukrainian defenders] Artem Baranovskyi and Oleksandr Stetsenko and [Russian forward] Dmitri Barkov have been very strong additions to the team.
The coach has been able to play all the players in their best positions and set up the right tactics, so all we have to do is go out and play football. We feel like a close family and we are again in the final.
Q: In five attempts, you have not defeated Iraqi opposition over 90 minutes in the AFC Cup. Why do you think that is?
A: The game against Arbil [in 2015] was our first ever AFC Cup match and there was a lot of excitement, but we did not produce our best football. However, after this match we improved and eventually qualified for the next round as group winners.
As for Nafit Al Wasat [in 2016], they were a good team, but I think if we met them now we would beat them. We lost because the team were only at 80 percent and we lacked teamwork.
*Note: Istiklol did beat Iraq’s Al Wahda on penalties in the last 16 in 2015.
Q: How can FC Istiklol defeat Air Force Club and lift the AFC Cup title?
A: We have been watching videos of their matches and our coach will outline our game plan. But we will play attacking football because we are at home.
Q: Finally, you have won so much with Istiklol, so what is your best memory?
A: We have enjoyed many great moments and also suffered some disappointing ones. The best one, though, was winning the AFC President’s Cup in 2012, but I think November 4, 2017 will be even better. We will all do our very best to make sure the trophy comes to Tajikistan.
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com
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