Kwid eyes glory after Syrian smash and grab

AFCCHAMPIONSLEAGUE - Al Karama coach Mohamed Kwid watched his side maintain their 100% start to their debut AFC Champions League campaign and immediately set his sights on a quarter-final berth.

The Syrians followed up Matchday One’s 2-1 defeat of UAE champions Al Wahda with an impressive victory by the same scoreline at Iranian outfit Saba Battery on Wednesday after coming from a goal down to silence the home support with a late winner.

Saba had gone into an early lead when veteran-goalscorer Ali Daei fired in a wonderful free-kick with just 15 minutes on the clock but the expected onslaught never materialised.

Al Karama turned the game on its head in the second half and goals from Jehad Al Hussein and Mohanad Ibrahim earned them all three points to boost their chances of reaching the Knockout Stage.

"I am delighted with my players and we are very happy to return home with the points," said Kwid.

"Fortunately we have still two more home matches and have a good chance of taking another six points and I would hope my side would then advance to the next stage as the top team in the group."

Kwid admitted he had been sceptical of his team’s chances before the game but insisted they had done their homework in a bid to neutralise their hosts.

"We had meticulously scrutinised Saba’s playing style but I was worried that they were distinctly taller than my boys," he added.

"My major concern was finding a suitable way to stop Daei and as you saw my defenders actually failed to stop him as he netted a world-class free-kick.

"We were under pressure early on but we gradually succeeded in attacking and managed to keep their dangermen away from our penalty area.

"During the first half we were too cautious but in second 45 minutes my boys attacked more and silenced the home fans with their goals."

Opposite number Mohammad Hossein Ziaei was gracious in defeat but admitted his side had paid for missed chances.

"I congratulate our rivals for their victory as they were much more attacking and hard-working than I thought.

"I knew that we needed to get the ball wide and concentrate on crossing from the wings and they caught us off-guard with both of their goals.

"We were desperate for the three points but we missed too many chances.

"We still have four matches to go and we haven’t lost our hope of qualifying.

"Despite losing the game we looked like the better side for most of it which satisfies me."