AFC Champions League Two
Moharram Navidkia’s side endured a frustrating match which they dominated but had to wait till late to find the winner through Kaveh Rezaei.
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Sepahan started strongly with Aref Hajiedi sending a header in the ninth minute just wide with Ahal custodian Kakageldi Berdiyev rooted to his spot.
The Iran Pro League side kept Ahal pinned in their own half with Arya Shafidoust next to test Berdiyev, exchanging passes with Majid Aliyari to open space in the box only to see his shot turned away.
The Iran Pro League side kept Ahal pinned in their own half with Arya Shafidoust next to test Berdiyev, exchanging passes with Majid Aliyari to open space in the box only to see his shot turned away.
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A combination of poor finishing and the woodwork denied Sepahan the chance to take a lead into the break, Amin Hazbavi scooping a shot wide before Arash Rezavand’s glancing header bounced off the bar in the 37th minute.
Four minutes into the restart, Sepahan carved out their best opening yet, Alves clipping a great pass behind Ahal’s defence for Omid Norafkan to run onto but Berdiyev was quickly out of his box to block the shot.
Profligacy in front of goal continued to haunt Sepahan with Rezavand twice blasting over from good shooting positions inside the box as the Ahal centre-back pairing of Bagtyyar Gurgenov and Oraz Orazov manfully protected their goal.
Four minutes into the restart, Sepahan carved out their best opening yet, Alves clipping a great pass behind Ahal’s defence for Omid Norafkan to run onto but Berdiyev was quickly out of his box to block the shot.
Profligacy in front of goal continued to haunt Sepahan with Rezavand twice blasting over from good shooting positions inside the box as the Ahal centre-back pairing of Bagtyyar Gurgenov and Oraz Orazov manfully protected their goal.
Sepahan’s persistent pressure finally paid off eight minutes from the end of regulation time with Berdiyev parrying a point-blank header from Enzo Crivelli but Rezaei was on hand to blast home the rebound to seal the points.
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