Iraqi leads Iranians to famous win

AFC - Emad Mohammed scored a late winner as Iranian league leaders Sepahan completed the double against Al Ittihad with a 1-0 away win over the Saudi side at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium on Wednesday.

The Iraq international striker netted the only goal of the game with 11 minutes remaining to give Sepahan their second straight win in Group A as they drew level with Al Ittihad on six points, three behind group leaders Kuruvchi of Uzbekistan.

The defeat compounded the woes of the two-time AFC Champions League winners, who dismissed coach Estevam Soares earlier this month after failing to retain the Saudi League title.

The home side, who were looking to end a dismal run of results, had the better of the early chances and should have taken the lead in the 14th minute when Mohammed Noor’s cross was headed over by Brazilian striker Magno Alves.

With newly-installed coach Gabriel Calderon taking charge for the first time, Al Ittihad continued to exert much of the pressure and went close again as a shot by Magno Alves in the 31st minute went just past the left upright while Saud Khariri’s effort two minutes later was well saved by goalkeeper Masoud Hamami.

The best chance of the half though fell to Sepahan in the 39th minute when Farshad Bahadorani took the ball into the box from the left flank and curled in a shot that came back off the far post.

Al Ittihad suffered a huge blow shortly afterwards as Magno Alves limped off the pitch and was replaced by midfielder Mohammed Ameen but they could still have taken the lead into the half-time break when Guinean striker Alhassane Keita broke through with only the goalkeeper to beat but was denied by Hamami’s legs.

Sepahan picked up their game in the second half and had a good chance nine minutes after the interval as a tight-angled effort by Salehi was turned out by Mabrouk Zaid for a corner.

Al Ittihad could still have gone ahead in the 56th minute when Mohammed Ameen’s pass went across the face of the Sepahan goal with Brazilian midfielder Tcheco just failing to apply the final touch.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 79th minute when Salehi’s long ball from the back found Emad Mohammed who fired a first-time shot past goalkeeper Zaid for the only goal of the game.