Majidi hopes to take Al Ain to Champions League crown

Gulf News - Iranian international Farhad Majidi could be the key to Al Ain's title hopes when they face Thailand's BEC Tero Sasana in the AFC Champions League finals, with first of two legs being played tomorrow in Al Ain.

The UAE club signed Majidi from Al-Wasl in August on a one-year loan deal. It proved to be a masterstroke with the Iranian star making an immediate impact.

The 26-year-old, brought in to cover for injured African striker Boubacar Sanogo, scored the goal that helped Al Ain reach the AFC Champions League finals.

His 87th-minute strike away to China's Dalian Shide in the second leg semifinal meant that Al Ain prevailed 7-6 on aggregate despite losing the match 4-3. 

Al Ain face BEC Tero Sasana at home in the first leg tomorrow before travelling to Bangkok for the return leg on October 11.

Majidi is confident he can help Al Ain become the first club to win the prestigious title and at the same time raise the profile of football in UAE. "The Asian football title is for the entire nation to rejoice," he said. "I am confident Al Ain has the fire-power to win it."

Majidi is one of Iran's brightest stars and among the most successful players in the UAE league over the past two seasons.

He scored 11 goals in each of the last two seasons for league champions Al Wasl of Dubai and steered them to last season's President Cup final, in which they were beaten 2-1 by Al Wahda.

Before Al Wasl, Majidi played with top Iranian team Esteghlal Tehran and was also a target of crack Austrian side Rapid Vienna.

Majidi is likely to lead the attack against BEC Tero Sasana alongside Brazilian Rodrigo Mendes, who also scored against Dalian.

Al Ain decided to take a chance on Majidi after Sanogo was injured during the club's training camp in Italy.