Saipa hold on to go clear at top

AFC - Amir Vaziri helped ten-man Saipa edge out Iraq's Al Quwa Al Jawiya as the Iranian side claimed a 1-0 win in a Group B encounter in the AFC Champions League at the Al Kuwait Stadium on Wednesday.

Vaziri headed home the winning goal in the second minute of first-half stoppage time as Saipa secured their second consecutive victory despite playing the final 30 minutes with only 10 men, while Al Quwa Al Jawiya suffered their first defeat of the competition.

With the win, Saipa opened up a three-point lead over Al Quwa Al Jawiya at the midway point of the group stage ahead of the return fixture in two weeks, with Al Wasl third with three points.

Saipa began the game strongly and should have taken an early lead after only eight minutes as Vaziri's first-time volley from Roozbeh Shahalidoust's left wing cross drifted the wrong side of the right post.

The visitors had another chance seven minutes later as Ebrahim Sadeghi Senjani fired wide from inside the area after being expertly picked out by Omid Sharifi Nasab.

The Iranians slowed the tempo as the half progressed but were still in control and were rewarded in first-half stoppage time as Karim Ansari headed Mohammad Javad Araghi's corner into the path of Vaziri, who headed home from close range.

Saipa's dominance continued into the second half but they suffered a setback on the hour mark as defender Mageed Gholamnejhad was sent off after clashing with Ali Mansour.

Al Quwa Al Jawiya tried to take advantage of their numerical superiority but failed to create a clear-cut chance in the remaining minutes with Rafid Mohammed's free-kick with 25 minutes remaining all the five-time Iraq League champions had to show for their efforts.

Saipa came close to sealing the triumph in the first minute of stoppage time but after a swift counterattack, Vaziri was denied by Al Quwa Al Jawiya goalkeeper Ali Jalel.

Two minutes later as the game drew to a close, Ivory Coast substitute midfielder Issa Traore wasted a one-on-on chance with Jalel as Al Quwa Al Jawiya defender Jassim Swadi recovered to intercept.