ACL: Iran’s Zob Ahan Beats Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Zob Ahan of Iran came from a goal down to defeat Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr 3-2 at Al Maktoum Stadium on Matchday Two of the 2019 AFC Champions League Group A on Monday.
Brazilian midfielder Giuliano fired Al Nasr in front just four minutes into the match.
Mohammed Nejad Mehdi equalized the match at the half-hour mark, powering in a header from Mohammad Reza Hosseini’s cross.
Vahid Mohammadzadeh sent Zob Ahan into the lead six minutes before the half time break, capitalizing on poor defensive coverage.
Al Nassr grabbed an equalizer 13 minutes after the restart through Abdelrazaq Hamdalla. The Moroccan looked to round goalkeeper Mohammed Rashid Mazaheri but was brought down inside the box.
Hamdalla stepped up to take the penalty himself and confidently slotted home the equalizer.
The former Al Rayyan forward thought he had won the game for his team late into the second half after he was again brought down inside the box and awarded a penalty in the dying minutes.
There was disappointment for Al Nassr fans this time, however, as the Moroccan's scoring boot deserted him and he sent his effort from the spot the wrong side of the post.
Instead, there was joy for the Zob Ahan supporters and further misery to the Saudi fans as the Iranian side snatched a late winner deep in added time.
Set-pieces were again the downfall of Al Nassr as Hamid Maleki’s corner-kick evaded all the defending bodies to find its way to Amir Motahari who rose highest to drive home the header in the last minute of added time and secure a 3-2 win for Zob Ahan.
Zob Ahan visits Dubai again next month, but this time to face Al Wasl. Meanwhile, Al Nassr’s pursuit of a first victory will continue on home soil as it welcomes Al Zawraa to the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh on April 8.
