Ghalenoei grateful for determined display

Having wrapped up the domestic title, Ghalenoei has now set his sights on Asian glory and Sepahan outplayed their visitors despite being reduced to 10 men early in the second-half when Ibrahima Toure was needlessly sent-off for striking Anvarjon Soliev in the wall before a free-kick.

By then the hosts were two goals to the good thanks to Fabio Januario’s swerving 30-yard strike and Toure’s exquisite finish.

Bunyodkor pulled a goal back through Slavoljub Djordjevic’s header before he gave away a penalty that Hadi Aghily converted to send Sepahan through.

“I am really happy with their performance, I would like to thank them all,” said Ghalenoei.

“Bunyodkor are one of the best in Asia. They are physically potent.

“We put enough pressure on Bunyodkor’s midfield which made them lose their tactical strength. Most of my players are pretty exhausted with recent games in a very compact schedule but fortunately they proved they can change the impossible to possible.

“We fired good shots in the game today. Bunyodkor didn’t create many chances to score but we did.”

Ghalenoei also hopes fellow Iranian side Zob Ahan can now follow them into the last eight.

“I wish from the bottom of my heart that the final game of this year will be an all-Iranian one between Sepahan and Zob Ahan,” he added.

“Last year we were unlucky in the Champions League but this year we are here to make up for that.”

Bunyodkor boss Mirjalal Kasimov conceded his team had been outplayed.

“They are really powerful and I would like to congratulate them for the win,” he said.

“The opening goal and the second for Sepahan ruined everything and I believe officials of the tournament should appoint better referees for knockout matches.

“I believe the referee shouldn’t have given a penalty to Sepahan. He made a mistake with that but there’s nothing we can do about it now. After Ibrahima Toure was sent off we had better conditions to play but still they had another very good 10 players.”

“We did our best against Sepahan. I am 90 per cent satisfied with my team’s performance and the players. However, our opponents were very strong and it wasn’t easy to play against them at all.

“They won the game, went through to the next round and I hope they can keep playing like that to reach the final.”