AFC - Omar Al Soma’s 86th-minute free-kick secured a dramatic late 2-1 win for 10-man Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia over the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Zobahan in Group C of the 2017 AFC Champions League on Tuesday.
Zobahan captain Mehdi Rajabzadeh struck the post inside 15 minutes at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex then Ehsan Pahlavan’s cross-cum-shot also came back off the woodwork shortly after, before Abdulfattah Asiri pounced inside the box to give Al Ahli the lead as the half hour approached.
But in first half stoppage time Al Ahli defender Motaz Hawsawi was sent off after bringing down Honduran international Jerry Bengtson in the box and Rajabzadeh coolly dispatched the ensuing penalty straight down the middle as the sides went in level.
Pahlavan fired agonisingly wide 20 minutes after the restart but Al Soma’s late piledriver from 20 yards, his second goal in two games, saw Al Ahli secure back-to-back wins and leapfrog Al Ain at the top of the standings after the Emiratis claimed a 3-2 victory at Bunyodkor in Tuesday’s earlier Group C encounter.