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Sharjah FC victorious whilst Al Wahda suffer their first defeat as we round up the UAE’s sides involvement in the Asian Champions League.
Sharjah FC 1-0 Air Force Club
The King’s who finished bottom of Group C last year, picked up their first three points of the campaign against Iraqi side Air Force Club who haven’t been in this competition for 13 years, making just their third appearance in the group stages.
Sharjah FC had largely dominated possession but it was the visitors who created the better chances before the break. Ali Kadhim saw his header rattle off the crossbar after an inswinging corner from Luay Al Ani.
Caio Lucas Fernandes was causing the Blue Eagles all sorts of problems and tested Air Force goalkeeper Fahad Talib from long range but the Iraqi international was equal to it.
The Brazillian was involved for Sharjah FC’s opener in the second-half, playing an excellent through ball to the feet of Khaled Ba Wazir who smashed his effort into the roof of the net from close range.
Air Force Club dominated possession after the goal but their search for an equaliser were demolished after Humam Tariq was shown a second yellow card in the last 10 minutes.
A big result for the reigning UAE Champions who have not tasted victory in their last three games in the Arabian Gulf League. A victory that they will look to gain momentum from for the remainder of the season.
Persepolis 1-0 Al Wahda
The Iranian champions counted on their captain Jalaleddin Hosseini’s, whose excellent strike just before the break was the difference as last year’s finalist’s edged past Al Wahda and got off to a winning start in the Asian Champions League.
The 39-year-old defender was in a great position to riffle the ball into the net after a well-worked interchange between Medhi Torabi and Ehsan Pahlavan.
The hosts struck the woodwork in the opening 10 minutes when Ahmed Noorollahi’s cross took a deflection off defender Shahriyar Moghanloo.
Al Wahda were a threat early on and had opportunities. Tim Matavz dragged his close-range shot wide of the post before Omar Khribin saw his effort off target.
Persepolis had a great chance to double their lead through Moghanloo but the 26-year-old squandered his opportunity.
The hosts were able to hold onto their 1-0 lead and started their Asian Champions League campaign in the best possible way.
Isiklol 0-0 Shabab Al-Ahli
Appearing in this competition for the first time, Istiklol defied expectations to earn Tajikistan their first-ever ACL point following a goalless draw with Al-Ahli.
The visitors took control of the game which was expected, having 70% possession of the ball in the match and having multiple efforts on goal.
However, a strong defensive performance at the back of Oleksii Larin and Andrii Mischenko made it easy work for goalkeeper Rustam Yatimov as Al Ahli struggled to find a way through.
Defender Majed Hassan had a superb effort which wasn’t too far away from breaking the deadlock with the shot swerving and dipping but only finding the top of the net.
Hamdam Al Kamali went closest for Al-Ahli in the second-half. However, the defender’s free-kick was punched away by Yatimov.
The hosts looked more comfortable as the game went on with their best opportunity arriving from Huseyin Dogan but the Dutchman had his effort saved superbly by Majed Naser.
The sides both held onto a goalless draw and will be happy to take a point from their opening game and not have started their retrospective campaigns in defeat.
