Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: A first half header from Almoez Ali proved the difference as Qatar's Al Duhail notched a narrow 1-0 win over Persepolis of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the first leg of the 2018 AFC Champions League quarter-finals at the Khalifa International Stadium on Tuesday.
The result meant that the Qatari champions matched Ulsan Hyundai's record of nine consecutive wins in the AFC Champions League.
Al Duhail nearly seized the initiative early on with front man Youssef El Arabi narrowly failing to connect with Nam Tae-hee's header across the goalmouth in the fourth minute.
In the 15th minute, the home side broke the deadlock through young striker Ali. Summer signing Edmilson sent in a teasing cross from the left and the unmarked Ali headed in with aplomb to get his second goal of the tournament.
Persepolis then came close to equalising in the 23rd minute, but Omid Alishah's effort flew just wide of Amine Lecomte's goal.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/almoez_ali-duhail-goal.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/duhail-persepolis2.html
