The AFC Champions League first matchweek ended in West Asia today after a bore draw between Group D participants Al Hilal and Al Ain, with no goals scored between either of the sides to the disappointment of the fans at the new Al Hilal Stadium.
Also in Group D was another draw, this one between Qatari and Iranian sides Al Rayyan and Esteghlal: 2-2. Rodrigo Tabata scored an own goal in the 6th minute to give Esteghlal the lead, before an assist and a goal by himself gave Al Rayyan the lead within the first half hour. The Iranian outfit did equalize in the 88th minute via Ali Ghorbani’s header.
In Group C, Al Wasl hosted Al Sadd at the Zabeel Stadium and failed to follow up on their 1-0 lead in the first half with a good second half performance, succumbing to a Baghdad Bounedjah brace in the 79th and 90th minute respectively.
Persepolis, although, did manage to top Group C after thrashing Nasaf Qarshi 3-0. Godwin Mensha’s strike was enough to give them the lead in the first half, but Ali Alipour scored two goals in five minutes (66th and 71st minutes) to strengthen their position on the table.
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