TEHRAN, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Branko Ivankovic, the head coach of Iran's Persepolis soccer team, said Wednesday that they deserved to qualify for the AFC Champions League quarterfinal, Tehran Times daily reported.
Persepolis qualified for the AFC Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday, as Chico Flores' own goal handed the Iranian side a 1-0 victory over Lekhwiya in the second leg of the last 16.
Last week, Persepolis and Lekhwiya played to a goalless draw in the first leg in Tehran.
"I am so happy due to the win because we won a big match. I would like to congratulate my players because they did their best in the match against Lekhwiya," Branko said in the post-match news conference.
"We knew that the match would be a tough game. We showed a good performance and defeated the Qatari team on their home soil. Lekhwiya is one of the best Asian teams," the Croat added.
"Persepolis is the best Iranian football team at the moment and I believe that we deserved the win," Ivankovic said. Enditem
