December 22, 2024
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Abu Dhabi: Sepahan rallied from a goal down to post an emphatic 4-1 victory over Al Jazira and top 2011 AFC Champions League Group A on Wednesday. Brazilian Bare opened the scoring for the hosts after 14 minutes but Javad Kazemian got Sepahan level just after the half-hour mark before the visitors turned the screw after the break.Senegal’s Ibrahima Toure scored twice and Reza Enayati completed the 4-1 win for the Iranian champions at the Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium that seals top spot regardless of Al Hilal’s result against Al Gharafa.Al Jazira coach Abel Braga rested most of his regulars but Bare nevertheless gave the home team the early lead with a superb strike.Sepahan, who had never won in five matches at United Arab Emirates clubs, must have been wondering whether that jinx would haunt them again when an unmarked Toure headed wide.However in the 31st minute, Sepahan did get back on level terms. Toure’s acrobatic attempt flew across the goalmouth and Kazemian, a former UAE League player, did well to squeeze his shot in from a difficult angle – much to the surprise of Al Jazira goalkeeper Ali Khasief.Brazilian Fabio Januario was off target for Sepahan while at the other end, Ibrahim Diaky passed up the chance to get the hosts back in front when his shot hit the crossbar.Sepahan attacked with more purpose after the interval and soon had their reward.Kazemian was just unable to pounce on the follow-up when Khosro Heidari’s shot was saved by Khasief but the travelling support did not have to wait long for their second goal.Toure made an unstoppable run into the box in the 61st minute and fired home to make it 2-1.And 10 minutes later, Ehsan Hajisafi squared the ball back for an unmarked Toure, who produced a clinical finish.Braga’s men were down and out and Sepahan sealed their first win in the UAE in style in stoppage time, when Mohammad Herawi crossed for substitute Enayati to head home.