The Iranian side drew 1-1 with Al Hilal in Riyadh in their opening game last week, leaving them without a win in their first two games of this year’s competition.

"Neither the draw in the first match nor against Al Ahli has any impact on our destiny in the ACL," he said.

"We still have four matches to play and after watching Al Ahli I realise that they have the same chance to qualify from the group as Al Hilal, Pakhtakor and Saba.

"They closed down their defence and that made it difficult for us to score. We had to be careful and keep several players back because their two forwards were quick and they could counterattack at any time.

"I think our players were not in their best physical condition. Three of them, Gholam Reza Rezaei, Sheys Rezaei and Mohammad Noori were obliged to join Team Melli for the friendly against Kenya right after we came from playing Al Hilal in Riyadh last week.

"Rezaei had a bit pain in his knee and he did not have enough time to train and recover.

"We have to be patient to qualify. We still have four matches to go and I guess every thing will be clear on the last day in Group A".

Al Ahli’s Czech coach Ivan Hasek declared himself happy with the result as his side picked up their first point of the campaign.

"I am satisfied with performance of my players," he said.

"A draw was a fair result for both sides as everybody was looking to protect themselves and we’re happy with the result.

"We always fight to win every game and it was the same in this game too. Our defenders tried to control the game although strikers of Saba were not that dangerous.

"There is chance for all four teams and I think a draw in Qom was not a bad result for us."