Shabahan's AFC Champions League Round of 16 clash against Hilal is undoubtedly a suspenseful one. Shabahan has the potential to create a cold streak at home in Iran.
Iranian teams are known for their tenacious defense and toughness, and Shabahan's lineup is full of skilled individual players. The central midfielder, Ahmad Shada, is a precise passer and provides strong support to his teammates on the attacking line.
Lissane, the attacking soul of the team, was once an attacking gate player and now plays as a right winger and has scored 4 goals so far. He is a fast and direct player with a great ability to seize chances, and once he gets a pass from his teammates, he can pose a great threat to the opponent's defense.
Although Hilal's star Nima will be unavailable, there are still a number of strong players in the squad. Brazilian players Michael and Magan provide creativity up front, while Alexandre Mizouwick is one of the top scorers in Asian soccer.
In the midfield, Rubin Nieves and Milian Goviša are good enough to play in the UEFA Europa League matches. If they can control the center of the midfield, Hilal will be able to control the rhythm of the game.
In addition, Hilal's left and right locks are often involved in the attack, and their crosses from side breaks often create scoring chances for Aleksandar Mizunovic. Therefore, Shabahan will need to find ways to deal with this threat.
