SYDNEY (31 Oct 2014) – Coach Tony Popovic has confirmed first leg goalscoring hero Tomi Juric is fit to start Saturday’s AFC Champions League final second leg against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal at King Fahd International Stadium as the A-League side seek to defend a one-goal advantage to land Australia’s maiden continental title.
Australia international Juric had been forced to start on the bench last week at Parramatta Stadium due to a groin injury, but the substitute slid home Antony Golec’s cross four minutes after the hour mark to secure victory for the AFC Champions League debutants.
And with the two-time A-League Grand Finalists now needing to avoid defeat at the King Fahd International Stadium, Juric along with defender Matthew Spiranovic and striker Brendon Santalab are all available for Popovic.
“He (Tomi) is fit enough to start. All the players are good and all the players are fit and available for selection tomorrow,” said former Australia international Popovic.
“I have no fears for tomorrow, just excitement to play in a final in front of a very big crowd. My team is prepared and we can’t wait
until tomorrow.
“It is not for me to say how we will play, but we are here to win the final. We expect to win the final tomorrow.
“We are prepared for the final and prepared for all the conditions that come with playing here.”
Two-time Asian Club Championship winners Al Hilal are unbeaten at home in the AFC Champions League this season, and a sell-out crowd of 65,000 is expected at King Fahd International Stadium as Laurentiu Reghecampf’s side seek to land a record-equalling third continental title.
“I think in Sydney we played well, but we couldn’t win the game,” said Reghecampf, who also confirmed he has a fully-fit squad at his disposal.
“I hink the players will have a good attitude tomorrow and this is what we have prepared for this week. The players will play a good game and we are going to have some goals.
“It is a good thing to play in front of 65,000 spectators. I think the spectators are going to be happy tomorrow.”
Al Hilal striker Yasser Al Qahtani is eligible to return after missing the first leg due to suspension, while Reghecampf also hinted winger Mohammed Al Shalhoub is being considered for a recall.
Al Shalhoub is the only player remaining in the current Al Hilal squad from their last continental success in the 2000 Asian Club Championship.
“We have many cards to play and all are legends. One is Mohammed Al Shalhoub and one is Yasser Al Qahtani,” added Romanian coach Reghecampf.
“We conceded one goal in the last game, but we controlled the game and had five chances.”
CAPTION – Australia international Tomi Juric scored the only goal in last week’s AFC Champions League final first leg against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal.
