AFC - Iran champions Sepahan were eliminated in the group stage of the AFC Champions League for the first time in three years despite a late header from substitute Mohammed Gholami securing a 2-1 win over Al Nasr on Tuesday.

Radomir Dalovic’s 30th minute strike had set 2007 runners-up Sepahan, who were chasing third consecutive appearance in the quarter-finals, on their way at Al Maktoum Stadium only for Hassan Mohammed to pull Al Nasr level with just under 20 minutes remaining.

But despite Gholami’s 79th header earning Sepahan just a second win of the campaign, Al Gharafa’s 2-2 draw with Al Ahli saw the 2012 finalists secure top spot in Group C with the Qatari side alsomaking sure of second place with one game remaining next week.

“The two teams produced a good performance tonight and although Al Nasr played well, we knew how to win. We asked our players to give their best in order to win the match as it is always good to win in the AFC Champions League,” said Sepahan coach Zlatko Kranjcar.

“We had good performances in the matches that we played but we failed to advance. However, we still have one match against Al Gharafa and we will give all our best in order to finish the tournament with a good win.”

Needing to at least win to keep their slim qualification hopes alive after suffering back-to-back defeats by Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli, Sepahan had to wait until 15 minutes before the break to open the scoring as Dalovic followed up after Al Nasr goalkeeper Ahmad Shambih had failed to hold Xhevahir Sukaj’s shot.

But Al Nasr were back on level terms with 19 minutes remaining as Mohammed slid home at the back post to turn Hasan Amin’s cross into the net from inside the six-yard area.

Sepahan, though, hit back eight minutes later as substitute Gholami directed a towering close range head over Al Nasr goalkeeper Shambih after the home side had failed to clear the ball out of their penalty area.

“I’m happy with the performance of the players despite the defeat. We had a good performance and we were the better side although we failed to score more goals and we conceded strange goals after some defensive mistakes,” said Al Nasr coach Walter Zenga.

“The most important thing is that we had a good performance and we tried our best to win the match. We also had good performances in the previous matches and the good thing is that the players have learnt a lot from this tournament.”