AFC Champions League Two
The Spaniard’s stoppage time equaliser came minutes after Islamic Republic of Iran's Sepahan went down to 10 men following Omid Norafkan’s red card, leaving the tie finely balanced going into the return leg next week at the same venue.
Sepahan had the first sight at goal in the 11th minute when Arya Yousefi beat Sekou Yansane on the right flank and delivered a cross into the centre but Mohammed Mehdi Lofti directed his header just wide of the post.
The Iranian side used the width of the pitch to great effect nine minutes later when Mehdi Lofti spread the ball out to the left for Ehsan Hajisafi, whose low cross was masterfully swept home by Ricardo Alves for the opener.
The Iranian side used the width of the pitch to great effect nine minutes later when Mehdi Lofti spread the ball out to the left for Ehsan Hajisafi, whose low cross was masterfully swept home by Ricardo Alves for the opener.
A quick breakaway in the 28th minute - which started with the surging run of Yansane who released Erik Exposito in the box - saw the latter then producing a first-time pass for Michel Vlap to sidefoot in Al Ahli’s equaliser for his fifth goal of the campaign.
Qatar's Al Ahli had an opportunity to take the lead in the 41st minute when Exposito picked up Seyed Hossein’s weak punch and crossed into the box for Yansana, whose volley was pushed away by the Sepahan custodian.
Qatar's Al Ahli had an opportunity to take the lead in the 41st minute when Exposito picked up Seyed Hossein’s weak punch and crossed into the box for Yansana, whose volley was pushed away by the Sepahan custodian.
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Sepahan were more clinical with their chance in the seventh minute of first half added time, Arash Rezavand met Mehdi Lofti’s cross with a downward header that gave Al Ahli goalkeeper Yazan Alsheikh no chance.
The second half was a scrappy affair as Sepahan went into defensive mode with Al Ahli probing through Yansane’s low strike in the 57th minute but it was easily gathered by Hossein.
The second half was a scrappy affair as Sepahan went into defensive mode with Al Ahli probing through Yansane’s low strike in the 57th minute but it was easily gathered by Hossein.
Norafkan’s sending off in the 90th minute for an unnecessary challenge on Suhaib Gannan on the halfway line complicated matters for Sepahan as Al Ahli took full advantage.
Gannan ghosted into the box in the third minute of stoppage time with his attempt blocked by Hossein but Exposito was in the right place to steer home the rebound.
A VAR check following a goalmouth scramble which had Exposito on the turf following Milad Zakipour’s challenge led Al Ahli into believing a penalty was forthcoming but the referee was not swayed as the tie ended in a stalemate.
Gannan ghosted into the box in the third minute of stoppage time with his attempt blocked by Hossein but Exposito was in the right place to steer home the rebound.
A VAR check following a goalmouth scramble which had Exposito on the turf following Milad Zakipour’s challenge led Al Ahli into believing a penalty was forthcoming but the referee was not swayed as the tie ended in a stalemate.
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