An early Yuri Cesar goal sealed the points for UAE's Shabab Al Ahli but Tractor would have felt that they, at least, deserved a share of the spoils.

The Iran side have to, however, work on their sharpness in front of goal as from the seven shots attempted against Shabab Al Ahli, only one was on target.

Al Shamal, making their AFC Champions League Elite debut, enjoyed a much better outing as they came within a whisker of defeating two-time champions Al Ittihad Club.

The Qatari side, who booked their ticket to the continental showpiece after finishing runners-up in the 2025/26 Qatar Stars League, took the lead through Baghdad Bounedjah but were denied a famous win by Georginio Wijnaldum's stoppage time equaliser