TEHRAN – Persepolis of Iran football team booked a place in the AFC Champions League quarter-final with a 2-1 win over the UAE’s Al Jazira.

In front of 90,000 vociferous fans in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium, Persepolis, who had lost 3-2 in the first leg in Abu Dhabi, put the visiting team under pressure in the first half but failed to score.

Al Jazira also defended well in the second half but Ahmad Nourollahi scored a spectacular goal in the 63rd minute with a long-range shot.

Just seven minutes later, Al Jazira’s Romarinho fired a right-footed shot from just outside the box to the bottom left corner to equalize the match.

Persepolis were in danger of being knocked out of competition but their captain Jalal Hosseini scored a winner from the box in the 89th minute.

On Tuesday, Iran’s Esteghlal will host compatriot Zob Ahan in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.

Esteghlal have lost 1-0 in the first leg.

TEHRAN – Al Jazira coach Henk ten Cate says they have come to Tehran to enjoy football in front of tens of thousands of spectators.

Al Jazira have defeated Persepolis 3-2 in the first leg held at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, in Abu Dhabi, UAE last week.

“Al Jazira want to enjoy football in front of tens of thousands of spectators, that’s why we are here” Ten Cate added.

“We are not allowed to make mistakes tomorrow. We know that we will be under pressure on Monday at the Azadi Stadium but we also know that Persepolis are under pressure as well because their fans’ expectations are high,” the Dutchman added.

“We are a small team from a small city and have come to a beautiful city with a massive traffic jam. We have analyzed Persepolis and know their strength and weakness,” he added.

“We have travelled to Tehran to enjoy football against Persepolis and will not waste time.  Playing in front of Persepolis’s fans are exciting and we have the experience of playing in the Club World Cup with lots of spectators,” Ten Cate concluded.

Al Jazira snatched an important last-minute goal to edge out Islamic Republic of Iran’s Persepolis 3-2 in the 2018 AFC Champions League Round of 16 on Monday.

The Iranian side looked to dominate from the start but Al Jazira succeeded in keeping them at bay for most of the first half, but Persepolis forward Ali Alipour broke the hosts’ resilience in the 42nd minute, heading in Vahid Amiri’s cross into the top right corner to put the visitors in front.

Al Jazira boss Henk ten Cate started the second half by replacing midfielder Yaqoub Al Hosani with forward Ahmed Al Hashmi, and the Dutchman’s strategy worked right away when Al Hashmi won a challenge and supplied a pass to Ali Mabkhout who dribbled through the defence and struck a powerful effort that hit the back of the net in the 52nd minute.

The visitors added a second through Romarinho, who received Mabkhout’s pass and quickly advanced into the area before slotting home in the 77th minute.

Persepolis responded instantly from the spot as Godwin Mensha converted on his second attempt after reacting quickest to Ali Khaseif’s save from his penalty kick six minutes from time.

Just as the Iranians thought they had come back from Abu Dhabi with a 2-2 draw, defender Khalifa Mubarak won it for Al Jazira with a last-gasp goal, directing his header from Mbark Boussoufa’s free-kick into the back of the net in the final minute of added time to give the Emirati side a slight advantage going into the second leg.

Persepolis, however, will be encouraged by their two away goals going into next week’s return leg in Azadi Stadium in Tehran.

Source: AFC

UAE’s Al Jazira and Islamic Republic of Iran’s Tractor Sazi Tabriz played out a goalless draw at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Matchday Three of the AFC Champions League Group A tie on Monday.

Ehsan Pahlevan had the most dangerous chance of the game three minutes after the restart after he was sent through on goal by a sublime Mehdi Kiani pass. The Tractorsazi winger fired with his left but goalkeeper Ali Khaseif blocked the angle and saved from close distance to keep the score level.

Daniel Esmaeilifar came agonisingly close to opening the scoring for the visitors at the hour-mark as he capitalised on a defensive mistake to send a low drive through the legs of Al Jazira’s Mohamed Jamal. Esmaeilifar watched his shot graze the outside of the upright and go out for a goal kick.

Tractrosazi goalkeeper Jordi had his toughest test three minutes from time when defender Khalifa Mubarak rose highest to head Khalfan Mubarak’s free-kick, but the goalkeeper dived low to save at his near post and earn his side a clean sheet and an important away point.

The Iranian side are yet to score a goal in the competition this season and will be eager to break their duck when they welcome Al Jazira to Tabriz next week.

Source:the-afc