Al Nasr pulls out 2-0 win over Sepahan in AFC Champions League
The Emirati professional association football club al-Nasr has recorded a shock win at the group stage of the 2016 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League, edging past Iran’s Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan Esfahan Football Club, commonly known as Sepahan.
On Tuesday evening, the hosts eventually saw off the visitors 2-0 in a Group A fixture played at the multi-purpose Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai.
Al Nasr players got off to a strong start, and within seconds the home side was awarded an indirect free kick just six yards from Sepahan’s goal.
However, Iranian goalkeeper Rahman Ahmadi dashed Al Nasr’s scoring hopes with a smart save and picked up the ball.
Al Nasr defender Ahmed al-Yassi rolled a free kick to teammate Jires Kembo-Ekoko moments later, but his attempt to blast the ball through Sepahan defensive wall was deflected to safety.
The Iranian soccer players then could establish themselves and brought the game under control. They sought to penetrate Al Nasr’s penalty area and tack the opener, but were disappointed as their efforts failed to bear fruit.
Sepahan forward Mohammad Reza Khalatbari was offered a favorable scoring opportunity nine minutes before the interval, but fired off target with the goal at his mercy.
The rest of the first half was a particularly drab affair with both sides failing to score a goal.
Brazilian professional footballer Nilmar Honorato da Silva, better known as Nilmar, found the net for Al Nasr in the 57th minute and put the hosts 1-0 up.
Sepahan footballers then built up pressure on their opponents’ goalpost, and went close to score the equalizer but did not manage to level the game.
Both teams failed to produce any more goals in the remaining minutes of the second half.
Al Nasr midfielder Jonathan Pitroipa ultimately sailed the ball into the back of Sepahan’s net from the penalty spot four minutes into the extra time, and sealed the 2-0 victory for the hosts.
With Tuesday’s win, Al Nasr exacted revenge for last week’s AFC Champions League defeat against Sepahan in Iran.
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