Esteghlal coach Amir Ghalenoeei has warned his players they must give their all if they are to maintain hopes of qualifying for the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League as they prepare to face Al Jazira at the Azadi Stadium on Wednesday.

The Iranians lost 2-1 in their opening Group C match of the continental competition against Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia.

Esteghlal had gone ahead in the 77th minute through substitute Arash Borhani but they were left stunned when Al Ittihad scored twice in the closing stages to take all three points.

Problems for the club were compounded when Mojtaba Jabari showed his objection to the coach at being substituted.

Coach Ghalenoeei subsequently dismissed Jabari from training upon returning to Tehran and the case is now with the club’s disciplinary committee.

Ghalenoeei has since asked his players to put behind them the defeat and concentrate on the game against Al Jazira.

“Al Jazira are one of the best teams in UAE with strong players,” he said. “We have studied their style of play through watching some videos.

“Obviously we have to defeat them if we are seeking to be a part of the tournament in the next stage.”

Iran League leading goalscorer Arash Borhani believes a win is vital if the team is to regain some lost confidence.

“We badly need a win at this moment in time,” he said. “Some referee decisions made us nervous in our last game but it is time to prove ourselves and refresh the team.

“We have to look at getting the three points from this match and nothing less than that.”

Al Jazira are also looking to banish memories of their last result in the AFC Champions League.

The UAE side failed to score a penalty and were made to rue that miss as they lost 1-0 to Umm Salal of Qatar.

And coach Abel Braga has vowed to put things right in Tehran.

“That was a game we would like to put behind us and get on with the rest of the matches in the competition,” said Braga.

“Azadi is the place for Al Jazira to get back on track.”

Tomorrow Esteghlal FC will have a important match Vs alJazira in Azadi .

we lost the first game Vs Ittihad unlucky

i 'm sure we will win the match tomorrow .

last night was very good for me and other Esteghlal FC fans ... we won 6 - 0 ...

2 days ago  Fathollahzadeh  _the manager of club_ dismissed , but  team could won Esteghlal ahvaz ...

it was so funny to see the face of akbar _the coach os esteghlal ahvaz_ after the match ...

and after all ... This is the power of General Amir Ghalenoei !

last night wasn't good for me ... saba wins esteghlah 3 - 0 !

the coach of saba was firooz karimi  , who was the coach of esteghlal last season .

it was the first 3-score of saba and the third out of home lost of esteghlal ...

but with this lost , amir ghalenoee - the coach of esteghlal - said : i'm sure that this team will win the league !

i hope this ...