Not content with pipping Esteghlal to second place in the domestic league table this season, Zobahan capitalised on the visitors profligacy to claim a crucial home win – and a clean sheet – ahead of the return fixture in a week’s time.

Esteghlal’s Farshid Esmaeili almost opened the scoring for his side 16 minutes into the first-half after he directed Server Djeparov’s cross to the right corner of the net but goalkeeper Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri was alert to make the save.

Despite having more ball possession and creating more chances, Winfried Schafer’s men were unable to use their domination wisely in the first half as the whistle signalled for the two sides to head into the break level.

Goalkeeper Mehdi Rahmati denied Zobahan their most dangerous chance in the 54th minute after making a tremendous save from Seyed Mohammad Reza Hosseini’s superb header.

Zobahan were reduced to 10 men in the final minute of regular time after Mohammad Nejadmahdi was sent off for a second bookable offence. The visitors looked to take the advantage but it was Zobahan who eventually managed to break the deadlock in the third minute of added time from the penalty spot.

Rouzbeh Cheshmi handled the ball inside the box and Gvelesiani stepped up to convert the penalty and give his side a slight advantage heading into the second leg which will take place on May 15 at Azadi Stadium in Tehran.

The visitors started the game the more energetic side and stunned the home fans when Moroccan striker Youssef El Arabi struck in the 16th minute. 

Al Ain goalkeeper Khaled Eisa did well to save El Arabi's initial header but the Al Duhail frontman pounced on the rebound and hit a powerful effort that went in off Mohamed Ahmed.

Nam Tae-hee then doubled the lead for the Qataris in the 39th minute with a magnificent solo effort. The Korea Republic star nutmegged Ahmed Barman near the halfway line before sprinting away from Mohammed Abdulrahman and netting past Eisa to make it 2-0.

With Jeonbuk choosing to rest a number of key players for next week’s second leg at home, the Thai champions pounced to take the advantage heading into that clash, although a late goal from the Korea Republic side did take some of the gloss off the win.

The hosts almost stunned Shanghai in the second minute as Yasushi Endo’s cross from the left crashed off the post. 

Oscar came close for the visitors in the ninth minute but Kwoun Sun-tae pulled off an excellent save from his close-range shot.

Ryota Nagaki’s 25-yard strike was tipped over by Yan Junling as Kashima hit back in an action-packed opening. 

Kashima snatched the lead in the 43rd minute when Nagaki’s corner was glanced into the corner by Gen Shoji’s header. Yan Junling clawed the ball out but it may have already crossed the line before Yuma Suzuki smashed home the rebound.

Both teams struggled to create chances in the opening stages as several fouls broke up the play.

In the 20th minute, Ulsan’s Mislav Orsic sent in a fizzing free-kick from distance that bounced awkwardly but Shin Hwa-yong did well to hold the ball.

Suwon responded with a long-range shot from Lee Ki-je but it lacked the power to trouble Oh Seong-hoon.

Waguininho headed Yeom Ki-hun’s cross just wide for the visitors in the 35th minute with what was the best effort of a cagey opening half.

Waguininho was denied by a vital defensive block when he threatened from close range a minute into the second half.

Yohei Toyoda then fired a low shot just wide from the edge of the area as the home side hit back.

The home side had the first sight of goal, but Frenchman Anthony Modeste powered his shot from just inside the area straight at Zeng Cheng.

Tianjin Quanjian’s Brazilian superstar Alexandre Pato looked dangerous down the left as he regularly got the better of his opponents in an otherwise tight and tense first half of football.

Things opened up a little more in the second half and Alan should’ve given the visitors the lead, but somehow blasted the ball over the bar from close range 10 minutes into the second half.

Zhang Lu then produced a fine save for the home side to deny Yu Hanchao as both teams pushed in search of an opener.