Sepahan took the lead in the first minute of the game through Mahdi Jafarpoursorkhi before Brazilian defender Armando De Sa sealed the win for the Iranians in the third minute of stoppage time.
Sepahan made the perfect start to this Group D clash as they opened the scoring after only 49 seconds when Ehsan Haji Safi crossed from the right and Jafarpoursorkhi turned the ball home.
That goal boosted Sepahan’s confidence and they should have doubled their advantage two minutes later when Iraqi striker Emad Reza picked up a long pass from the back before dribbling into the area only to send his shot wide of the left upright.
The hosts continued to dominate and again went close after 16 minutes when Rasoul Khatibi edged past Al Shabab goalkeeper Ismail Rabee and crossed for Ahmad Jamshidian but his effort went over the crossbar.
Al Shabab shouted claims for a penalty after 21 minutes when striker Musawekosi Mguni appeared to have been fouled inside the area by Jalal Akbari but the referee waved for play to continue.
Sepahan retained their control on the game and had another chance in the 33rd minute when Jafarpoursorkhi’s powerful shot sailed over the crossbar.
Al Shabab’s best chance on the night came four minutes before the break when Brazilian midfielder Marcos Assuncao curled a free-kick from the left that was pushed away by Sepahan goalkeeper Rahman Ahmadi for a corner.
Sepahan started the second half the same as they had ended the first and again came close in the 53rd minute when Mohsen Bengar’s close-range shot from inside the area rattled the crossbar.
Al Shabab continued to struggle to create any clear-cut chances and had to wait until the 85th minute before they again had a shot on goal when substitute striker Salem Saad hit the ball directly at Ahmadi.
But Sepahan’s dominance finally told as they sealed the win in the third minute of stoppage time when Brazilian defender Armando De Sa sent a speculative effort from 25 yards that hit the chest of Ismail Rabee and deflected into the net.
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