(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Peninsula
ABU DHABI: Qatari clubs Al Duhail and Al Gharafa posted contrasting wins in their AFC Champions League matches yesterday.
In the first entertaining clash of the day, QNB Stars League points leaders Al Duhail came back from a goal down to beat hosts Al Wahda 3-2 their 2018 AFC Champions League Group B clash at Zayed Sports City Stadium.
In another match, Qatar's Al Gharafa claimed their first three points in Group A after beating Iran's Tractor Sazi Tabriz 3-0.
Earlier at Zayed Sports City Stadium, the home side was given an early opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty after Al Duhail defender Sultan Al Brake fouled Mourad Batna in the box two minutes from the start.
Argentine striker Sebastian Tagliabue stepped up and made no mistake from the spot to put Al Wahda in front.
Al Duhail went on the offensive in search of an equaliser but had to wait until the 57th minute for their efforts to be rewarded when Youssef Msakni's squared ball was swept home by Youssef El Arabi from six yards out.
A flurry of chances followed for the Qatari side and they duly took the lead 15 minutes from time, when a deflected ball fell at the feet of Karim Boudiaf who slotted home his third goal of the tournament. Five minutes later, Al Wahda's woes were compounded when El Arabi headed home his second of the night and Al Duhail's third.
There was a late consolation goal for the hosts deep into added time, when Batna dispatched another penalty. Al Duhail top Group B with six points whereas Al Wahda are yet to open their account. Next up for the Emirati side is a trip to Isfahan to face Zobahan while Al Duhail entertain Lokomotiv in Doha.
In Doha, Al Gharafa got off to a flyer and were in front after just 11 minutes when Taremi powered in a header from Othman Al Yahri's cross.
Back-to-back defensive mistakes from Sime Gregov cost Tractorsazi another goal in the 21st minute. The Croatian was first dispossessed by Taremi who outmuscled him to move clear on goal before selflessly squaring for Wesley Sneijder who had the empty goal at his mercy. However, Gregov has recovered just in time to intercept Taremi's pass, only to fluff his lines and watch the ball roll into the back of the net from his attempted clearance.
Tractorsazi were thrown a lifeline six minutes before the break when Rubert Quijada apprehended Mohammad Naderi inside the box, but Mehdi Mehdipour saw his powerful strike from the spot parried away by goalkeeper Yousef Hassan.
Taremi had the chance to double his tally for the night, but his 75th minute penalty was saved by goalkeeper Jordi. The Iranian international, however, made up for it with a close-range finish to round the scoring in the dying seconds of the game. The Qatari side welcome Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli to Doha in Matchday Three while Tractorsazi travel to Abu Dhabi to face Al Jazira.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.