Al Duhail begins ACL campaign on a winning note
Doha: Qatar’s Al Duhail came from behind to shut out Iran’s Zob
Ahan Esfahan FC 3-1 in their opening Group B fixture at the AFC
Champions League at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium here on
Monday evening.
In another game, Al Gharafa, who have qualified since 2013, went
down 3-2 in their away match to UAE’s Al Jazira in Group A.
The QNB Stars League leaders were stung by a 12th minute strike
through Brazilian striker Kiros, who headed home from close after
team-mate Morteza Tabrizi’s header ricochet off the cross bar.
The early goal had deflated Djamel Belmadi’s side, but they came
back strongly with a renewed confidence in the second half to outwit
their opponents thanks to a double by Qatar international Karim
Boudiaf.
Boudiaf first drove home the rebound following a Youssef Msakni
shot to equalise in the 74th. Two minutes later the lanky defensive
midfielder headed Nam Tae-Hee corner much to the delight of his
team-mates.
Attacking midfielder Youssef Msakni drilled home a Nam cross in
the 84th to give Duhail a confident start in the continental club
competition, which also features Al Rayyan in Group D.
Duhail next travel to the UAE to face Al Wahda in their next game
on April 17.