AFC Champions League SF Flashback: Saudi Arabia vs. Iran [VDEO]

AFC – KUALA LUMPUR, After an enthralling set of quarter-finals, the 2017 AFC Champions League is now left with just four teams to fight it out for a spot in the continent’s showpiece match.

The West region semi-final will see Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia face Persepolis of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Riyadh-based Al Hilal were also involved the last and only time Saudi and Iranian have sides met at this stage since the tournament revamp in 2002-2003, when they locked horns with Zob Ahan in 2010.

In the build-up to next week’s tie, let’s turn back the clock and refresh our memories of what happened back then.

Road to the semi-finals
Asian giants Al Hilal began their AFC Champions League campaign that year in Group D, going on to top the group ahead of Mes Kerman, Al Sadd and Al Ahli.

A 3-0 win over Bunyodkor followed in the Round of 16, which set up a clash with Qatar’s Al Gharafa in the quarter-finals.

In a classic encounter that will live long in the fans’ memories, Al Hilal cruised to a 3-0 win at home, before being stunned 3-0 in Doha by Al Gharafa, who then made it 4-0 in extra time.

Fortunately for Al Hilal, a thrilling climax saw late goals by Yasser Al Qahtani and Essa Al Mehyani take them through to the semi-finals.

As for Zob Ahan, their appearance in 2010 was only the second in their history after making their debut in 2004, where they were knocked out in the group stage.

The Isfahan-based side ended up topping a tough Group B, that featured Bunyodkor, Al Ittihad and Al Wahda – all of who had previously made semi-finals appearances.

Zob Ahan then pipped fellow Iranian side Mes Kerman 1-0 in the Round of 16 before stunning the continent with a 3-2 aggregate win over defending champions Pohang Steelers in the quarter-finals.

The Korean side had been leading the tie on away goals going into the last 10 minutes but a Mohammad Reza Khalatbari goal in the 80th minute ensured Zob Ahan would face Al Hilal in the semi-finals.

The first leg: Zob Ahan seize the initiative, Wilhelmsson misses penalty
Both sides had chances to go ahead early on at the Foolad Shahr Stadium, with Khalatbari and a 20-year old Nawaf Al Abed missing the target with their attempts.

Al Hilal had keeper Hassan Al Otaibi to thank in the 21st minute when he pulled off a stunning reflex save to deny Igor Castro.

With the first half edging towards a goalless end, Al Hilal came up with a fine passing move that released Al Qahtani but the Saudi star was brought down in the box, earning him a penalty.

However, it was Zob Ahan who celebrated after Christian Wilhelmsson’s effort was saved by Gordan Shahabaldin.

Zob Ahan then made their opponents pay after the break, when Ghasem Haddadifar struck a low free-kick that went through the wall and into the goal, giving the home side a 1-0 lead.

Al Abed struck the post with a fierce left-footed shot and Al Hilal had more chances to equalise but failed to put them away.

First leg:

The second leg: Al Hilal rue missed chances, Lee Young-pyo sees red
A capacity crowd of around 68,000 expectant fans filled the King Fahd International Stadium for the second leg in Riyadh, watching with bated breath as Al Hilal tried to reach a first Asian final since 2002.

The hosts dominated the proceedings from the get go but they found Zob Ahan tough to crack.

The tension was palpable as chances came and went without the scoreline changing.

Thiago Neves, Mohammed Al Shalhoub and Mirel Radoi all had their opportunities to make the breakthrough but it just wasn’t their day.

Instead, it was Zob Ahan who scored to silence the crowd.

An uncharacteristic mistake from Al Hilal defender Osama Hawsawi gifted the ball to Castro, who controlled it before rifling home past Al Otaibi to make it 1-0 on the night and 2-0 on aggregate to the visitors.

To make matters worse for Al Hilal, their full-back Lee Young-pyo lost his cool and kicked out at Khalatbari, earning a straight red card from referee Ravshan Irmatov.

The final whistle confirmed a first ever continental final for Zob Ahan while Al Hilal were left to rue their wastefulness in front of goal.

Second leg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMSw0fZQFe0

What happened next?
The final of the 2010 AFC Champions League pitted Zob Ahan against Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma in Tokyo, with the Iranians coming up short as Seongnam registered a 3-1 win and lifted the title.

Since then, Zob Ahan’s best result in Asia is the quarter-final place achieved in 2011. This year, they were unable to make it to the knockout stage, after finishing third in their group.

Al Hilal, on the other hand, have enjoyed success, successfully negotiating the group stage in the last seven consecutive seasons.

They also finished as runners-up in 2014 and semi-finalists in 2015.

Of the players who played against Zob Ahan in 2010, Osama Hawsawi, Abdullah Al Zori and Nawaf Al Abed will be available for selection for the semi-final first leg against Persepolis on September 26 while Salman Al Faraj and Yasser Al Qahtani are out injured.