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PLDC - Esteghlal FC booked their place in the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Al Muharraq on Wednesday at the Sheikh Ali Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium.
Esmaeil Gholizadeh opened the scoring in the 15th minute, finishing from close range after connecting with a Saleh Hardani cross. The match remained tight until the second half, when Al Muharraq’s Waleed Alhayam was sent off in the 60th minute for a second yellow card.
Esteghlal capitalised late on their numerical advantage as Duckens Nazon doubled the lead in the 82nd minute with a well-taken finish from a tight angle. Jasir Asani sealed the win five minutes later, curling the ball into the bottom corner.
The result sees Esteghlal finish Group A on eight points and advance to the knockout stage, while Al Muharraq were eliminated, finishing one point short of qualification.
