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Sports
23/04/2008
Kasimov plays down Kuruvchi form
Kuruvchi have been in scintillating form, winning their opening six games in the Uzbek League and recording back-to-back victories in the continental competition after an unfortunate 1-0 loss to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad in their opening match in Jeddah.
A 2-0 victory over their Syrian opponents in Aleppo two weeks ago helped them draw level on six points with Al Ittihad at the top of the group, although they still trail the Saudi outfit on the basis of head-to-head
results.
And although Kasimov is keen to see his side enhance their position with another victory at MHSK Stadium, the Kuruvchi chief insisted he was not taking anything for granted.
"We are well aware of our position in the group and we know how important the three points will be to our quarter-final prospects," he said.
"However, if you look at our group, you will see that only three points separate first from last.
"A victory for our opponents could just as easily send them up to first place so it would be wise not to underestimate them."
With right winger Rashid Gafurov returning from suspension, Kuruvchi will be at full strength apart from veteran goalkeeper Pavel Bugalo, who is undergoing treatment for a back injury.
But replacement Murotjon Zukhurov has proved a capable deputy so far, conceding only one goal in seven matches.
After starting their campaign brightly with a 2-0 win over Sepahan in Iran, Al Ittihad Aleppo will be out of the reckoning with a defeat in Uzbekistan, a fact not lost on coach Tita Valeriu.
"This game is our last chance to stay in contention and I hope that the players will rise to the occasion," said the Romanian.
"Kuruvchi are a well organised team and they beat us in Aleppo because they knew how to take advantage of our mistakes.
"But if we perform well on Wednesday, I think we can get a positive result."
However, their cause has not been helped by the absence of defenders Majd Homsi and Salah Chahrour through suspension.
Midfielder Obaid Al Salal is also sidelined through injury but Ammar Rihawi and Yahia Al Rached are set to return after missing the last game due to suspension.
A 2-0 victory over their Syrian opponents in Aleppo two weeks ago helped them draw level on six points with Al Ittihad at the top of the group, although they still trail the Saudi outfit on the basis of head-to-head
results.
And although Kasimov is keen to see his side enhance their position with another victory at MHSK Stadium, the Kuruvchi chief insisted he was not taking anything for granted.
"We are well aware of our position in the group and we know how important the three points will be to our quarter-final prospects," he said.
"However, if you look at our group, you will see that only three points separate first from last.
"A victory for our opponents could just as easily send them up to first place so it would be wise not to underestimate them."
With right winger Rashid Gafurov returning from suspension, Kuruvchi will be at full strength apart from veteran goalkeeper Pavel Bugalo, who is undergoing treatment for a back injury.
But replacement Murotjon Zukhurov has proved a capable deputy so far, conceding only one goal in seven matches.
After starting their campaign brightly with a 2-0 win over Sepahan in Iran, Al Ittihad Aleppo will be out of the reckoning with a defeat in Uzbekistan, a fact not lost on coach Tita Valeriu.
"This game is our last chance to stay in contention and I hope that the players will rise to the occasion," said the Romanian.
"Kuruvchi are a well organised team and they beat us in Aleppo because they knew how to take advantage of our mistakes.
"But if we perform well on Wednesday, I think we can get a positive result."
However, their cause has not been helped by the absence of defenders Majd Homsi and Salah Chahrour through suspension.
Midfielder Obaid Al Salal is also sidelined through injury but Ammar Rihawi and Yahia Al Rached are set to return after missing the last game due to suspension.
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