Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: Al Duhail came from behind to record a 3-1 victory over Islamic Republic of Iran’s Zobahan in Group B of the 2018 AFC Champions League on Monday.
Brazilian striker Kiros put the visitors in front 10 minutes into the game. Giorgi Gvelesiani’s header was nodded on by Morteza Tabrizi to beat goalkeeper Amine Lecomte, but the forward who had scored twice in the play-off saw his headed effort ricochet off the cross bar and into the path of Kiros who headed home from point-blank range.
The visitors defended resiliently and were successful in keeping Al Duhail attackers at bay, until the 74th minute when Youssef Msakni’s shot was spilled by goalkeeper Mazaheri onto the path of Karim Boudiaf, who drove home the rebound to equalise for the Qataris.
One minute later the defensive midfielder got his second of the night from a powerful header after Nam Tae-hee’s cross from the corner.
The Korean playmaker was his side’s creative force once more, finding Msakni with a cross that was swept home to round the scoring with five minutes to go and seal an important victory at the start of the campaign for Al Duhail who travel to the UAE to face Al Wanda in their next game. Zobahan, meanwhile, welcome Lokomotiv to Iran in Matchday 2.