Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: A second successive brace from Baghdad Bounedjah powered Qatar's Al Sadd to a 3-1 home win over Islamic Republic of Iran's Persepolis in their 2018 AFC Champions League Group C Matchday Two encounter on Tuesday.
Playing their first continental home game in three years, Jesualdo Ferreira's Al Sadd began the match on the front foot with the triumvirate of Xavi, Akram Afif and Bounedjah linking well in attack.
Their dominance paid off in the 36th minute when an unmarked Bounedjah surged into the box to meet Afif's cross and head in the first goal.
After ending the first period without a shot on target, Persepolis came into the second half looking to make amends.
However, the visitors' hopes were dashed as Bounedjah got on the scoresheet once again in the 51st minute. A clever assist from Xavi set up the Algerian striker, who took his time in the box before netting with a curled finish for his fourth goal of the campaign.
The Qatari side added to their lead the 66th minute, as substitute Boualem Khoukhi scored with a stinging shot after being teed up by Ali Asad.
The hosts were denied a clean sheet deep into additional time after Persepolis struck a consolation goal through Siamak Nemati, with the very last kick of the game.
Al Sadd travel to Uzbekistan to face Nasaf on Matchday Three while Persepolis host UAE's Al Wasl in Tehran.