Both sides went into the match hopeful of overturning a rough patch; Sharjah had lost their last three games in the competition, although two of those dated back to their last appearance in 2004.

Persepolis, meanwhile, had lost four of their last six.

The Saudi side were looking to build on their opening day win over Sharjah as they hosted 2018 quarter-finalists Al Duhail who had yet to beat a Saudi team in the AFC Champions League.

A brace from Hassan Al Haydos followed Akram Afif’s 51st-minute opener, as Sepahan were brought back down to earth after last week’s stunning 4-0 success away to Al Ain.

Al Sadd’s handsome win takes them top of table on goal difference from Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, while Sepahan slip to third with four group stage matches to play.

Al Nassr came into the game with a point to their name, having drawn with Al Sadd 2-2 in Riyadh, while Al Ain were hoping to put an end to their worst-ever run in the competition, having lost four consecutive matches, including a 4-0 defeat by Sepahan at home last week.

Wang calmly slotted his 23rd minute effort past home goalkeeper Apirak Worawong to earn Beijing all three points in their opening game in Group E to join FC Seoul and Melbourne Victory at the top of the early standings.

Making their return to the Continent’s top competition a week later than expected after a three-year absence, Choi Yong-soo’s charges prevailed in a 90-minute arm-wrestle, outlasting the visitors at a bitterly cold Seoul World Cup Stadium.

Seoul’s win sees them join Victory, who began their campaign last Tuesday, on three points, putting the 2013 runners-up on track for what would be a first knockout stage appearance since 2016.

Leandro’s strike curled past Liam Reddy to give Kenta Hasegawa’s side all three points to add to their opening day draw with Group F rivals Ulsan Hyundai on Matchday One, while Perth were left to travel home with nothing to show for their efforts against the 2019 J.League runners-up.