Ittihad crush Sepahan to regain lead

AFC - Striker Marzouq Al Oteibi put on a superb show, scoring a hat-trick as Saudi giants Al Ittihad gained sweet revenge against Sepahan by crushing the Iranian league champions 4-0 to return to the top of Group D.

The victory helped Al Ittihad leapfrog Sepahan to the top of the group on nine points, two ahead of the previously-unbeaten Iranian side, and also avenged a 3-2 defeat suffered by the Saudis in Esfahan two weeks ago.

The match was effectively settled in the first half as the Saudi champions completely dominated with Al Oteibi running riot to net three goals.

Al Ittihad got off to a great start as midfielder Manaf Abushgeer launched a stunning strike in the 11th minute that slammed against the woodwork, with Al Oteibi on hand to guide the ball into the net to put his side ahead.

The home side extended their lead three minutes later as Mohammed Noor played a neat pass to Al Oteibi who beat Sepahan's Slovakian keeper Kamil Susko in a one-on-one situation.

Al Oteibi then completed his hat-trick as Ittihad struck on a quick counter-attack in the 36th minute.

Mohammed Noor nearly got Ittihad's fourth goal two minutes before the break but the talented midfielder's lob came back off the post as the score remained 3-0 at half time.

Al Ittihad continued their magnificent form in the second half and scored their fourth goal in the 57th minute. Mohammed Noor played a neat pass to Al Oteibi, and the striker unselfishly laid on a pass to Brazilian playmaker Demba to score easily.

Noor could have rounded off an excellent performance with a goal in the 72nd minute after being set up by a Demba header but the Saudi playmaker sent his effort metres wide of the Sepahan goal.

Sepahan should have pulled back a consolation goal in the closing stages as Mahmoud Karimi failed to add to his tally of five goals in the competition as his goalbound effort was cleared by the Saudi defence. Moharram Navidkia then saw his shot come back off the Ittihad woodwork shortly before the final whistle.

Al Ittihad are now in the driver's seat in Group D and face their next game against Al Arabi in Kuwait, while Sepahan will look to get back on the winning track when they visit Uzbekistan's Neftchi.