PLDC - Tehran, Esteghlal manage to success from their home leg, but fail to impress.

Esteghlal played their first leg of the quarter finals of the 2013 AFC Champions League in Azadi Stadium today.

Right from the get-go, Khosrow Heydari crossed the ball beautifully into the Thai net, to give Esteghlal an early lead, in the 2nd minute of the match.

A few minutes later, Farhad Majidi took a shot from inside the box, but his shot was off target.

Buriram United made several efforts and made full use of their speed advantage, but they failed to pose a real threat. Esteghlal's height advantage was very noticeable, as Buriram United's crosses and aerial attack were futile.

Esteghlal seemed to be content with their one goal advantage and were mostly playing a defensive game in the first half.

Early in the second half, Jlloyd Samuel blasted the ball at the Thai net, but Sivaruck Tedsungnoen showed his great reflexes and made a brilliant save. And several minutes later Samuel took a hard low shot that just skipped by the post.

In the 78th minute, Khosrow Heydari took a powerful shot that went over the bar by a few centimeters.

The match ended 1-0 in Esteghlal's favour, but The Blues of Tehran were not impressive today, as they were expected to win by a better margin.

The second leg of the match will be played in New I-Mobile Stadium in Buriram on September 18th.

By: Arman Tamjidi