Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: Qatar's Al Sadd took a big step towards the semi-finals of the 2018 AFC Champions League after Baghdad Bounedjah's brace secured them a 3-1 comeback win over Islamic Republic of Iran's Esteghlal in the first leg of the quarter-finals on Monday.
The 2011 champions began the game brightly but were dealt a blow in the 12th minute, conceding after an unfortunate mistake.
A high ball into the Al Sadd box was headed down by Boualem Khoukhi for his keeper Meshaal Aissa to pick up, but the young custodian inadvertently let it slip past him to gift the hosts an opener.
Esteghlal maintained their lead right up to halftime, after surviving a scare in injury time when Akram Afif's shot rebounded off the post to be gathered by Esteghlal keeper Mehdi Rahmati.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/esteghlalal_sadd-action1.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/esteghlal-al_sadd-action3.html
