AFC - Aloys Nong’s early strike ensured debutants Esteghlal Khouzestan maintained their 100% record in the AFC Champions League following a 1-0 win over Al Jazira in Group B on Monday night.
The Iranian visitors opened the scoring in the second minute at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium when Peyman Shirzadi’s throw-in from the left was flicked on by Arash Afshin to Hassan Beit Saeid, who laid the ball into the path of Nong to coolly slot home with the outside of his right boot.
Beit Saeid then struck the crossbar with a wonderful free-kick as the hour approached, before Musallem Fayez headed against the woodwork down the other end but Esteghlal Khouzestan held out to condemn the Emiratis to a second successive defeat and move two points clear at the top of the standings after Monday’s other Group B encounter between Al Fateh and Lekhwiya ended 2-2.