August 29 – Al Duhail and Kashima Antlers both secured vital wins on Tuesday as the first legs of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League quarter-finals continued across the continent.
A first half header from talented striker Almoez Ali proved the difference as Qatar’s Al Duhail secured a narrow 1-0 win over Iran’s Persepolis in Doha.
The result sees the reigning Qatar Stars League champions equal South Korean outfit Ulsan Hyundai’s record of nine consecutive wins in a single AFC Champions League season.
Ali struck in the 15th minute at the Khalifa International Stadium, summer signing Edmilson sending in a teasing cross from the left which the young Qatar international superbly converted at the back post to ultimately settle the tie.
Al Duhail will go to Tehran for the second leg which is scheduled to be played on September 17.
Meanwhile in East Asia, two second half goals handed Japan’s Kashima Antlers a deserved 2-0 victory over Chinese Super League side Tianjin Quanjian in their first leg encounter at the Kashima Soccer Stadium.
After a goalless opening 45 minutes, Kashima found the breakthrough their dominance richly deserved.
Shuto Yamamoto picked out Yasushi Endo on the edge of the area and the captain’s cushioned header found its way to Brazilian Leo Silva, who lashed the ball home with a wonderful shot from 10 yards.
The hosts remained in the ascendency and recent arrival Serginho duly added a second on 72 minutes for Kashima when he powered a left-foot effort from distance past goalkeeper Zhang Lu to mark his competition debut in style.
Kashima will travel to Tianjin for the second leg in three weeks’ time.
Qatar’s Al Sadd won 3-1 away at Esteghlal on Monday in the opening quarter-final fixture, while Wednesday sees an all-Korea tie between Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Suwon Samsung Bluewings.
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