Iran’s Zob Ahan defeats compatriot Esteghlal in 2018 AFC Champions League
Iranian football club Zob Ahan Isfahan has edged past Esteghlal Tehran in the first leg of the 2018 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Round of 16.
Zob Ahan defeated the visitors 1-0 at the end of a match played in Foolad Shahr Stadium just outside the central Iranian city of Isfahan on Tuesday evening.
Esteghlal’s Farshid Esmaeili went close to opening the scoring for his side 16 minutes into the first-half after he directed Server Djeparov’s cross to the right corner of the net.
Zob Ahan goalkeeper, however, Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri was alert and made the save.
Even though Esteghlal footballers had more ball possession and created more chances, they were unable to use their domination wisely in the first half and both sides headed into the break tied at nil.
Zob Ahan’s most dangerous chance came in the 54th minute, when Seyed Mohammad Reza Hosseini hit a strong header. Esteghlal goalkeeper Mehdi Rahmati denied the opportunity though.
Zob Ahan’s Mohammad Nejadmahdi was sent off for a second bookable offence in the final minute of the regular time and the hosts were reduced to ten men.
The visitors failed to take the advantage of the situation, and it was Zob Ahan which ultimately broke the deadlock in the third minute of the added time from the penalty spot.
Japanese referee Jumpei Iida showed the penalty spot after Esteghlal player Rouzbeh Cheshmi touched the ball with his hand in the box.
Zob Ahan Georgian defender Giorgi Gvelesiani converted the chance.
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