AFC - AFC Champions League Group C contenders Sepahan prepared their Wednesday’s continental clash with Al Nasr of UAE with a convincing 3-1 win over mid-table Malavan in the Iran Pro League on Thursday.

Sepahan, who were five points adrift of leaders Esteghlal after losing 1-0 to Esteghlal’s Tehran rival Persepolis a week ago, are still five points behind the leader with Esteghlal also winning their match against Sanat Naft on the same night. ACL 2013 Iranian debutant Tractor Sazi are at the second place with 52 points – two points ahead of Sepahan.

Former Tractor Sazi midfielder Eshan Hajsafi put the reigning Iranian champions ahead in the 26th minute. The home side had to wait till the 78th minute to double the lead through Ahmed Jamshidian and five minutes later Omid Ebrahimi sealed a comfortable win scoring the third Sepahan goal. Mohamed Heydari pegged a consolation back in the 90th minute for Malavan.

Sepahan are in tough Group C featuring ACL 2012 finalists Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia, big-spending Qatari side Al Gharafa and Wednesday’s opponent Al Nasr. They travel to Qatar next month to face Al Gharafa in their second match of the ACL campaign.

Video of Iran Pro League week 27