Persepolis advance from ACL group stage [VIDEO]
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Loading...PFDC – DUBAI, A great second half comeback gave Persepolis Tehran a well deserved 3-1 win over Al Shabab of the UAE, which was more that enough for the Reds to advance to the next round of the Asian Champions League, however, might not be enough for the group win thanks to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Persepolis, who only needed a draw to secure the second place and a spot in the round of 16 but a win to possibly overtake group leaders Al Hilal, conceded an early goal and didn’t look like ever finding an answer until striker Eamon Zayed’s great header, which equalized the game shortly before the break.
However, in second half a much improved Persepolis team turned things around completely thanks to a great Mehrdad Pouladi freekick (53′) and an injury time goal by substitute midfielder Hossein Badamaki.
The win will probably not be enough for Persepolis as again an Arab football team is heavily favoured over an Iranian by the AFC.
Al Hilal’s crucial game was not scheduled simultaniously to Persepolis’ match in Dubai, but instead was set for 10pm Dubai time, 15 minutes after the other game’s final whistle.
The Saudis now know they need a win to retain the top position of the ranking and thereby the home advantage of the single leg next round, while their opposition Al Gharafa also have the information that due to Persepolis’ win they are already eliminated from the competition.
Should the Saudis use their AFC bonus, Persepolis would have to travel to Saudi Arabia to face group B winners Al Ittihad in the round of 16 on May 23. Otherwise Baniyas of the UAE or Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan would be hosted in Tehran’s Azadi stadium on the same day.
