With Jeonbuk choosing to rest a number of key players for next week’s second leg at home, the Thai champions pounced to take the advantage heading into that clash, although a late goal from the Korea Republic side did take some of the gloss off the win.

Both teams struggled to create chances in the opening stages as several fouls broke up the play.

In the 20th minute, Ulsan’s Mislav Orsic sent in a fizzing free-kick from distance that bounced awkwardly but Shin Hwa-yong did well to hold the ball.

Suwon responded with a long-range shot from Lee Ki-je but it lacked the power to trouble Oh Seong-hoon.

Waguininho headed Yeom Ki-hun’s cross just wide for the visitors in the 35th minute with what was the best effort of a cagey opening half.

Waguininho was denied by a vital defensive block when he threatened from close range a minute into the second half.

Yohei Toyoda then fired a low shot just wide from the edge of the area as the home side hit back.

The Iranian side looked to dominate from the start but Al Jazira of the United Arab Emirates succeeded in keeping them at bay for most of the first half, but Persepolis forward Ali Alipour broke the hosts' resilience in the 42nd minute, heading in Vahid Amiri’s cross into the top right corner to put the visitors in front.

Al Jazira boss Henk ten Cate started the second half by replacing midfielder Yaqoub Al Hosani with forward Ahmed Al Hashmi, and the Dutchman's strategy worked right away when Al Hashmi won a challenge and supplied a pass to Ali Mabkhout who dribbled through the defence and struck a powerful effort that hit the back of the net in the 52nd minute.

The visitors added a second through Romarinho, who received Mabkhout's pass and quickly advanced into the area before slotting home in the 77th minute.

Persepolis responded instantly from the spot as Godwin Mensha converted on his second attempt after reacting quickest to Ali Khaseif's save from his penalty kick six minutes from time.

Just as the Iranians thought they had come back from Abu Dhabi with a 2-2 draw, defender Khalifa Mubarak won it for Al Jazira with a last-gasp goal, directing his header from Mbark Boussoufa's free-kick into the back of the net in the final minute of added time to give the Emirati side a slight advantage going into the second leg.

Persepolis, however, will be encouraged by their two away goals going into next week's return leg in Azadi Stadium in Tehran.