Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tabriz: A first half goal by forward Farshad Amhadzadeh was enough to give Tractorsazi Tabriz a 1-0 victory over Emirati champions Al Ahli in Matchday Two of Group D in the AFC Champions League on Wednesday.
After suffering a 2-1 reversal at Nasaf of Uzbekistan in Matchday One last week, the home side were looking to bounce back strongly at the Yadegar Emam Stadium and they went in front in the 40th minute when substitute Fardin Abedini teed up Amhadzadeh to finish from inside the six yard box.
And despite improving after the interval, Al Ahli were unable to break through a stubborn Tractorsazi defence and the scores remained the same to leave the Arabian Gulf League winners with just one point from two games after their 3-3 tie with namesakes Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia in Matchday One.
Oliveira lauds Tractorsazi's organisation against Al Ahli
The game got off to a cagey start in the afternoon sun with neither team creating any chances of note as the defences remained on top.
But the visitors eventually recorded the first strike on goal in the 17th minute when a loose defensive clearance fell to midfielder Majed Hassan, although his powerful drive from 25 yards sailed past goalkeeper Hamed Lak’s right post.
Tractorsazi, making their third successive AFC Champions League appearance, then had their first attempt on target midway through the half, but unfortunately for defender Habib Gordani he directed his left foot shot from distance straight at Al Ahli keeper Majed Naser.
The home side then took the lead five minutes before the interval when Abedini, on as a substitute for the injured Mohammad Iranpourian, skipped past defender Walid Abbas in the right side of the box before crossing for Amhadzadeh to fire into an empty net from just a few yards out.
The Iranian side then almost doubled their advantage two minutes before the interval, but captain Mehdi Kiani’s long range effort flew inches wide of the left post.
Al Ahli started the second period on top and should have equalised in the 57th minute, but midfielder Habib Al Fardan was thwarted by the outrushing Lak after being beautifully played through by captain Ahmed Khalil.
The away side continued to have the better of the possession but found it difficult to break down a resolute Tractorsazi defence with chances few and far between and frustration appeared to be getting the better of them when Al Fardan was booked for a needless challenge on Amhadzadeh with 10 minutes to go.
And Tractorsazi could have wrapped the game up in stoppage time, but Brazilian midfielder Edinho directed his free kick from the edge of the penalty box straight at keeper Naser, however the Iranians were able to hold on to record their first points of the campaign.
Photo: WSG