AFC Cup play-offs: 'The match is big and we will give it our all'
KE manager Siddiqui confident of team’s chances in crucial clash against Al-Hidd FC.
PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
Pakistan champions K-Electric (KE) will take on Bahrain’s Al-Hidd FC in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup play-off at the Bahrain National Stadium in East Riffa on Tuesday.
KE are looking to become the first-ever club from Pakistan to qualify for the main round of the continental event and manager Taha Siddiqui is optimistic ahead of the all-important clash.
PIA’s football club may shut down due to crisis
“It is a big match for us and we are looking for a win,” Siddiqui told The Express Tribune. “The team is more confident now as we made sure that we get at least two practice sessions in Bahrain.”
Siddiqui further paid tribute to Al-Hidd, terming them as a difficult side to beat. “It won’t be easy to beat them but we will bring our ‘A’ game,” said Taha. “We saw their facilities here and they are quite impressive. Al-Hidd also have Nigerian players and they might have footballers from other countries too. We haven’t seen their team yet.”
Swan bags Pakistan's first gold at South Asian Games
While the match is taking place in Bahrain, Siddiqui revealed that a sizeable crowd had gathered outside the Pakistan team hotel to show their support.
“It was amazing to see people camping outside our hotel,” he said. “They are there for us, so we’re expecting some support at the match too.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 9th, 2016.
Pakistan champions K-Electric (KE) will take on Bahrain’s Al-Hidd FC in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup play-off at the Bahrain National Stadium in East Riffa on Tuesday.
KE are looking to become the first-ever club from Pakistan to qualify for the main round of the continental event and manager Taha Siddiqui is optimistic ahead of the all-important clash.
PIA’s football club may shut down due to crisis
“It is a big match for us and we are looking for a win,” Siddiqui told The Express Tribune. “The team is more confident now as we made sure that we get at least two practice sessions in Bahrain.”
Siddiqui further paid tribute to Al-Hidd, terming them as a difficult side to beat. “It won’t be easy to beat them but we will bring our ‘A’ game,” said Taha. “We saw their facilities here and they are quite impressive. Al-Hidd also have Nigerian players and they might have footballers from other countries too. We haven’t seen their team yet.”
Swan bags Pakistan's first gold at South Asian Games
While the match is taking place in Bahrain, Siddiqui revealed that a sizeable crowd had gathered outside the Pakistan team hotel to show their support.
“It was amazing to see people camping outside our hotel,” he said. “They are there for us, so we’re expecting some support at the match too.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 9th, 2016.