Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: Islamic Republic of Iran's Persepolis will head into the Knockout Stage of the 2018 AFC Champions League as winners of Group C, after overcoming Qatar's Al Sadd with a 1-0 win on Matchday Six.
Backed by a vociferous home crowd, Persepolis needed less than three minutes to go in front. Mohammed Ansari whipped in a tricky cross from the left wing and Al Sadd defender Morteza Pouraliganji inadvertently headed past his own keeper to give the Tehran giants an early lead.
Needing just a draw to finish top of the group, Al Sadd pushed forward in search of the equaliser but they were not particularly effective, with only Xavi and Baghdad Bounedjah coming close to scoring in the opening half.
The visitors looked more dangerous in the second half and Boualem Khoukhi thought he had levelled the scores when he finished off Bounedjah's cross in the 62nd minute. However, the effort was ruled out for offside.