Sepahan claim bragging rights in Iran

Sepahan coach Zlatko Kranjcar was proud of his players after eliminating compatriots Esteghlal from the AFC Champions League on Tuesday.

Sepahan won 2-0 in their all-Iranian Round of 16 clash in Isfahan thanks to first-half goals from Bruno Cesar and Mohsen Bengar as the Blues again disappointed in Asia.

“We proved that we are the best team in Iran,” Kranjcar said.

“As well as proving that we were the dominant and better side, we also showed that we can play good football against a strong team like Esteghlal.

“I congratulate the players and our supporters for the win, and I am confident that we can get this team to an even higher level.

“We may not have played nicely in some of our recent games but we have the ability to improve day by day. Today we played good tactical football and followed all of our plans for the game.”

Meanwhile, defeated Esteghlal boss Parviz Mazloumi admitted his side failed to perform.

“The game was not in our favour and we didn’t play well,” he said.

“We had planned to control the game in the first half but their early goal unbalanced our plans. We didn’t create goalscoring opportunities.

“Sepahan were rewarded for their strong effort and determination. Their players ran a lot and all of their tactical plans were well performed.

“We didn’t have anything to lose in the second half that’s why I added more forwards, but Sepahan played well and achieved what they had wanted.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/sepahan-claim-bragging-rights-in-iran/95121/

AFC Champions League wrap: Al Ahli, Sepahan progress

Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli and Sepahan of Iran advanced to the last eight of the AFC Champions League on Tuesday.

Al Ahli eliminated the United Arab Emirates’ Al Jazira 4-2 on penalties in Abu Dhabi while Sepahan accounted for Esteghlal 2-0 in an all-Iranian affair.

Ricardo Oliveira scored on 114 minutes to give Al Jazira a 3-2 lead in extra-time before Victor Simoes hit a stunning equaliser two minutes from time.

Simoes then struck the winning spot-kick to condemn Al Jazira to their first loss in Asia’s premier club competition this season.

Al Jazira had dropped just two points in the group stage with former AC Milan and Valencia striker Oliveira the top scorer in the tournament.

The visiting Al Ahli, who recently won Saudi Arabia’s Kings Cup, took the lead midway through the first half as Marcelo Camacho capitalised on some poor defending to rifle a finish into the top corner.

However, the home side replied soon after through Oliveira, who levelled with an acrobatic header.

Al Jazira went ahead just after the hour when Argentine Matias Delgado flicked in a cross before Amad Al Hosni responded with a deft chip on 75 minutes to force extra time.

Oliveira grabbed his 12th goal of the tournament but had little time to celebrate as Simoes smashed in a long-range equaliser to force a penalty shootout.

Newly-crowned Iranian champions Sepahan clinched their spot in the quarter-finals for a second consecutive season courtesy of goals from Bruno Correa and Mohsen Bengar.

Albanian striker Xhevahir Sukaj was outstanding for the home side, who grabbed the lead through Correa after eight minutes.

Central defender Bengar doubled the advantage in the 35th minute as Sepahan controlled possession in front of a capacity Foolad Shahr Stadium crowd.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/afc-champions-league-wrap-al-ahli-sepahan-progress/95105/