Al Nasr 1-2 Sepahan – Iranians out despite win [VIDEO]

AFC – Dubai,  Iran champions Sepahan missed out on a place in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League despite a late header from substitute Mohammed Gholami securing 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 making sure of second place with one game remaining next week.

Needing to win to keep their 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.

Below come the match highlights from PFDC TV.