AFC Champions League Two
With both having already confirmed their Round of 16 spots prior to the match, the win propelled the Islamic Republic of Iran side to the top of the standings on seven points - one ahead of Jordan's Al Hussein who have a final fixture against FC Ahal of Turkmenistan on December 23.
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Sepahan were out to make amends for their 1-0 defeat to Al Hussein on Matchday One and took control with Ivan Sanchez shooting wide before Hadi Mohammadi saw his looping header crash off the bar.
The Iranian side threatened again through Aref Haji Eydi, who headed wide from a Ricardo Alves set-piece, while Mohammad Daneshgar’s close-range header in the 17th minute was kept out by keeper Mahmoud Al Kawamleh.
The Iranian side threatened again through Aref Haji Eydi, who headed wide from a Ricardo Alves set-piece, while Mohammad Daneshgar’s close-range header in the 17th minute was kept out by keeper Mahmoud Al Kawamleh.
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Al Hussein carved out a rare chance a minute later with Aref Al Haj forcing Sepahan keeper Hossein Hosseini into a save after being released by Mahmoud Khrouba.
Sepahan stayed on the offensive and was further frustrated by Al Kawamleh, who denied Ehsan Hajsafi’s glancing header before thwarting Mohammadi again just before the half-hour mark.
Al Kawamleh’s influence grew as the game progressed, producing another key save to deny Ricorda Alves’ drive from the centre of the box as the score remained level at the half-time whistle.
Sepahan stayed on the offensive and was further frustrated by Al Kawamleh, who denied Ehsan Hajsafi’s glancing header before thwarting Mohammadi again just before the half-hour mark.
Al Kawamleh’s influence grew as the game progressed, producing another key save to deny Ricorda Alves’ drive from the centre of the box as the score remained level at the half-time whistle.
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Sepahan resumed the second half with the same attacking intent through Sanchez and Haji Eydi, while Al Hussein went close in the 65th minute when Odeh Al Fakhouri curled his free-kick over the wall with a fully stretched Al Kawamleh well beaten, only to be denied by the bar.
Sepahan’s persistence finally paid off in the 73rd minute when substitute Aria Yousefi dispossessed Al Fakhouri before beating Al Kawamleh with a powerful drive into the bottom corner.
Sepahan’s persistence finally paid off in the 73rd minute when substitute Aria Yousefi dispossessed Al Fakhouri before beating Al Kawamleh with a powerful drive into the bottom corner.
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Al Hussein almost conceded again three minutes later when Al Kawamleh fumbled Omid Noorafkan’s shot from distance, but recovered well to clear the ball before a surging Enzo Crivelli could pounce.
Mohammad Askari then added Sepahan’s second in stoppage time, converting Hajsafi’s layoff to seal the well-deserved victory.
Mohammad Askari then added Sepahan’s second in stoppage time, converting Hajsafi’s layoff to seal the well-deserved victory.
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