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MNA – Strikers Mohsen Bayatinia and Rassul
Khatibi hit their hat-tricks to help Iran’s representatives in the AFC
Champions League beat Kuwaiti and Syrian sides, Al Salmia and Al Wahda,
Wednesday.
The Group A-bound Pas came from goal down to
demolish Al Salmia 5-1 in Shahid Dastgerdi Stadium, western Tehran.
Against the run of play, the visitor found Pas net in the 37th minute when
Salem al Buraiki fired home from a tight angle, but the Iran Pro League
holder stunned the Kuwaitis with five goals after the interval.
Issa Traore leveled the match five minutes into second half, slipping to
steer home a through ball from Meysam Manii.
Traore turned provider on 68 minutes, feeding supersub Mohsen Bayatinia with
a header and the striker coolly beat Al Salmia keeper in a man-to-man
challenge.
National midfielder celebrated the third as its 25-yard drive kissed the net
seven minutes later.
Turkish manager of Pas, Mustafa Denizli, wore a broad smile when Bayatinia
unleashed a world-class shot from edge of the box past the keeper in the
80th minute.
The forward grabbed his own third and team’s fifth five minutes from time.
In Damascus, Khatibi was Man of the Match in Group B clash, inspiring
Sepahan into a 3-1 win over Al Wahda.
The nimble striker took an early lead for Sepahan, rifling home with a
powerful left shot from close range.
Khatibi, who was brought down in the box on 66 minutes, himself converted
the penalty kick.
Not to be outdone by Bayatinia, Khatibi dispossessed Al Wahda defender in
the area, dribbling past the keeper to send the ball into the unguarded net
in the stoppage time.
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