The Tehran side began the match with a one-goal advantage from the first leg in Doha and an expectant Azadi Stadium was full to capacity, generating an atmosphere that would have rivalled anything the competition has ever see.

But they were stunned into silence inside 20 minutes when the tournament’s top scorer Baghdad Bounedjah swept home his record-equaling 13th of the campaign. Persepolis raised their game after the interval and hit back in the 49th minute as Siamac Nemati volleyed in Godwin Mensha’s cross with what proved the decisive goal.

Siamac Nemati's second-half goal secured a 2-1 aggregate win for the hosts and a place in the Continental showpiece, where they will face either Suwon Samsung Bluewings or Kashima Antlers in early November.

Trailing by a goal from the first leg, it was Al Sadd who had greater impetus to score, fashioning an opportunity in the third minute.

However, Abdelkarim Hassan's shot at goal flew straight into the hands of Persepolis goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.

Kashima Antlers collapsed early on home soil in the first leg, within less than 10 minutes they were two goals down and seemed close to a second defeat to Suwon Samsung Bluewings at the Kashima Soccer Stadium.

However, they reduced the deficit in the first half, and with less than five minutes on the clock they fired two goals to clinch a vital victory ahead of the return leg this Wednesday.

The Islamic Republic of Iran gained many plaudits in Russia after defeating Morocco, drawing with Portugal and running Spain close as they almost qualified for the knockout round for the first time.

Among numerous excellent performances from Team Melli, Beiranvand was arguably the standout player and was heavily linked with a move away from Persepolis after the tournament.

After the first six minutes of the first leg of the AFC Champions League semi-final tie in Kashima Soccer Stadium, Suwon were in dreamland. An own-goal and Dejan Damjanovic's eighth goal of the tournament had stunned the home crowd and Kashima Antlers alike.

An impressive comeback from their hosts, though, did see Suwon ultimately return to Korea Republic suffering a 3-2 defeat, but midfielder Park remains optimistic that the damage done in the wild opening period could already be vital.

Three AFC Champions League appearances, three goals scored, it's fair to say that Brazilian midfielder Serginho has found life in the continent's preeminent club competition very much to his liking.

The 23-year-old netted in both legs of the quarter-final against China PR's Tianjian Quanjian, and scored a vital equaliser in the 3-2 win semi-final first leg win over Suwon of Korea Republic at the end of last month.

From today till October 26, the five finalists are in the running for the grand prize, where the winner shall receive an all expense-paid trip to either the first or second legs of the 2018 AFC Champions League final. The prize includes transport (domestic or international), accommodation and VIP passes for two.

For more information of the contest terms & conditions, please visit the link below:
#ACL2018 ULTIMATE FAN