Esteqlal defeats Al-Rayyan in AFC Champions League (Video)
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03/05/2012 10:19:00
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Fans of Iran's Esteqlal cheer for their team during an AFC Champions League match at Azadi Stadium in Tehran.
Iran's Esteqlal has thrashed Al-Rayyan from Qatar 3-0 in the AFC Champions League group stage thanks to a double strike by Arash Borhani.
Arash Borhani scored two goals as Esteghlal moved within touching distance of a spot in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League after they regained second place in Group A with a decisive 3-0 victory over Qatar’s Al Rayyan on Wednesday.
The Iranian giants entered the match at the Azadi Stadium a point behind the Qatari side but they dominated the contest and took a deserved lead when Borhani converted a penalty midway through the first half.
Esmaeil Sharifat doubled their advantage with 14 minutes left before Borhani added his second of the game in stoppage time to seal an emphatic win for the hosts, who moved two points ahead of Al Rayyan.
They will only need a draw in their final match at winless Nasaf to go through as group runners-up behind United Arab Emirates side Al Jazira.
Esteghlal coach Parviz Mazloomi was delighted by the result but stressed the point that his side still had work to do in order to qualify for the last 16.
"Al Rayyan are a very good team and we're pretty satisfied and content to score three times against such a good side,” he said.
“After they put us under pressure, we netted twice which lifted the pressure off us. Our job isn't finished yet. We have another game left in which we want all three points."
The hosts dominated the opening half and took the lead after 23 minutes when Borhani slotted home from the penalty spot after Al Rayyan’s Brazilian striker Afonso Alves had handled the ball in his own box.
Al Rayyan coach Diego Aguirre felt aggrieved by the decision, which he felt was the turning point of the game.
“I don't believe it was a right decision by the referee,” said the Uruguayan. “The game was very balanced for both sides before the penalty, but after Esteghlal opened the scoring, they took control of the rest of the game."
Esteghlal should have extended their advantage five minutes before half-time when Milad Midavoodi broke clear with only goalkeeper Oumar Barry to beat but fired his effort against the left upright. Borhani was following up but he rushed his effort and fired it against the outside of the same post.
The home side added some insurance with a controversial second goal in the 76th minute. Esmaeil Sharifat appeared to be offside when he ran on to a pass by Andranik Teymourian but he was allowed to run on and rounded Barry before slotting into the empty net.
Borhani rounded off the win with his third goal of the tournament deep into stoppage time when he was found unmarked by Mojtaba Jabari and easily beat Barry.
The Iranian giants entered the match at the Azadi Stadium a point behind the Qatari side but they dominated the contest and took a deserved lead when Borhani converted a penalty midway through the first half.
Esmaeil Sharifat doubled their advantage with 14 minutes left before Borhani added his second of the game in stoppage time to seal an emphatic win for the hosts, who moved two points ahead of Al Rayyan.
They will only need a draw in their final match at winless Nasaf to go through as group runners-up behind United Arab Emirates side Al Jazira.
Esteghlal coach Parviz Mazloomi was delighted by the result but stressed the point that his side still had work to do in order to qualify for the last 16.
"Al Rayyan are a very good team and we're pretty satisfied and content to score three times against such a good side,” he said.
“After they put us under pressure, we netted twice which lifted the pressure off us. Our job isn't finished yet. We have another game left in which we want all three points."
The hosts dominated the opening half and took the lead after 23 minutes when Borhani slotted home from the penalty spot after Al Rayyan’s Brazilian striker Afonso Alves had handled the ball in his own box.
Al Rayyan coach Diego Aguirre felt aggrieved by the decision, which he felt was the turning point of the game.
“I don't believe it was a right decision by the referee,” said the Uruguayan. “The game was very balanced for both sides before the penalty, but after Esteghlal opened the scoring, they took control of the rest of the game."
Esteghlal should have extended their advantage five minutes before half-time when Milad Midavoodi broke clear with only goalkeeper Oumar Barry to beat but fired his effort against the left upright. Borhani was following up but he rushed his effort and fired it against the outside of the same post.
The home side added some insurance with a controversial second goal in the 76th minute. Esmaeil Sharifat appeared to be offside when he ran on to a pass by Andranik Teymourian but he was allowed to run on and rounded Barry before slotting into the empty net.
Borhani rounded off the win with his third goal of the tournament deep into stoppage time when he was found unmarked by Mojtaba Jabari and easily beat Barry.
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Group A
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| Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | +/- | Pts |
| AL JAZIRA (UAE) | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 13 |
| ESTEGHLAL (IRN) | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
| AL RAYYAN (QAT) | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 8 | -2 | 6 |
| NASAF (UZB) | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 12 | -8 | 1 |
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