TEHRAN – Sepahan football team of Iran revived their hopes for the 2024/25 AFC Champions League knockout stages with a 3-1 victory over UAE’s Sharjah FC in their Group C match on Tuesday.
With the win, Sepahan secured their second victory of the campaign, moving to six points. They are now just one point behind Sharjah and four behind Jordan’s Al Wehdat SC, setting up a tight three-way race for the two qualifying spots.
From the start, Sepahan pushed forward and tested Sharjah goalkeeper Adel Al Hosani. In the sixth minute, Al Hosani was forced into a double save. Blocking Bryan Dabo’s shot and recovering to deflect Kaveh Rezaei’s follow-up onto the crossbar.
Amin Hazbavi gave Sepahan the lead in the 12th minute. And Arya Yousefi doubled the advantage in stoppage time at the end of the first half.
Sharjah pulled one back in the 61st minute through Luanzinho. But Sepahan sealed the win with Javad Aghaeipour’s third goal in injury time.
Sepahan will next face group leaders Al Wehdat on November 26, while Sharjah will play bottom-placed FC Istiklol of Tajikistan.
AFC Champions League,