Persepolis defeat al-Hilal 1-0 in AFC Champions League round of 16
Iran’s Persepolis have beaten Saudi Arabia’s al-Hilal with a single goal in the AFC Champions League’s round of 16.
Fresh from a spirit-boosting 1-0 win over their archrivals Esteqlal in the capital’s derby on Friday, the Reds were determined to continue their efforts in the Asian competition against their powerful Saudi visitors to somehow make up for their rather disappointing 8th place Iranian Persian Gulf League finish.
Tehran’s iconic Azadi Stadium had already seen Lekhwia of Qatar, al-Nasr of Saudi Arabia and Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan leave defeated. Al-Hilal seemed to have scored in the 28th minute, when Persepolis’ Costa Rican defender Umana failed to properly clear a ball in the box before it was accidentally thrown in front of al-Dawsari, who then opened the net. The goal, however, was disallowed due to offside, a decision that some believe was a clear mistake by the referee and his linesman.
The first half thus finished 0-0 with very few chances created on either goal.
But, the second half saw more chances for the two sides, with the Red’s goalie Sosha Makani making some remarkable saves. Persepolis also squandered a number of opportunities in the second 45 minutes.
Al-Hilal were reduced to 10 men in the 88th minute when Salman Al-Faraj was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for bringing down Mehdi Taremi.
Just as everyone thought the match was headed to a scoreless draw, Brazilian defender Digao opened his own net, tapping in Taremi’s left cross from the edge of the woodwork to give Persepolis the much-needed win in the 92nd minute.
To be one of the continent’s top 8 teams, the red giants now have to play another very hard 90 minutes away at al-Hilal next Tuesday.
AZ/HJL
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