ACL MD5 – Group A: Lekhwiya 3-0 Persepolis

AFC – DOHA, Lekhwiya moved to the top of the Group A with just one round of matches remaining as Michael Laudrup’s side celebrated their recent Qatar Stars League title win with a 3-0 victory over Persepolis on Wednesday.

Victory takes Lekhwiya on to 10 points from five games and a draw in their final match against Al Nassr in two weeks’ time will ensure the club progresses to the Round of 16.

Three goals in the final 21 minutes ensured all three points went to the Qataris, with Youssef Msakni, Nam Tae-hee and Ali Afif finding the back of the net for the Laudrup-coached club.

The defeat was the second in a row for new Persepolis coach Branko Ivankovic, who oversaw a loss in the Iranian league at the weekend against Sepahan.

Persepolis are now in second in Group A and the former Iran national team coach will have to lift his side for their encounter against Bunyodkor on May 6 if the Tehran club is to advance.

A disappointing first half saw neither side create much of note, but the game sparked into life in the second 45 minutes with Persepolis looking the more likely to take command.

But, despite being on top, it was the home side who found the opening when, in the 69th minute, Nam Tae-hee cut his way through the Iranian defence before sending in a cross which Msakni headed beyond goalkeeper Sousha Makani.

With seven minutes remaining, Nam doubled his side’s advantage himself with a fine individual effort, powering through the Persepolis midfield before scoring past Makani from just inside the penalty area.

And three minutes into stoppage time Lekhwiya put the result beyond any doubt when second-half substitute Ismail Mohamad sent in a cross from the left which was initially blocked by Michael Umana, only to fall at the feet of Afif and he scored from six yards out.