Doha: Hazem Shehata’s surprising long-range strike from over 40 yards earned Al Rayyan their first victory in the AFC Champions League Elite as they narrowly defeated Pakhtakor 1-0 in Tashkent on Tuesday. Shehata shocked both Pakhtakor and their enthusiastic fans at Stadion Majmuasi when his miss-hit punt forward in the 51st minute became the decisive factor, giving Al Rayyan a crucial win after enduring three straight defeats. The Younes Ali-led side was fortunate to come away with maximum points in their away match, despite Pakhtakor’s dominance in most of the match. This victory lifted them five spots from the bottom to seventh place in the 12-team West Zone, keeping their hopes alive for the knockout stage, where eight teams will advance. Al Rayyan’s next match is a home fixture against Iran’s Persepolis at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on November 25. One day earlier, despite a fine performance, especially in the second half, Al Gharafa were forced to share the spoils in a 1-1 draw with Iran’s Persepolis in the fourth round (West Zone) of AFC Champions League Elite at the Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai. While Persepolis’ Farshad Faraji scored for the Iranian side in the 53rd minute, substitute Ahmed Al Ganehi drew parity for Al Gharafa in the 56th minute. Al Sadd extended their unbeaten streak in the AFC Champions League Elite battling back to secure a 1-1 draw against Al Wasl at Dubai’s Zabeel Stadium yesterday. Romain Saiss headed in the equaliser for the Wolves in the 61st minute responding to Alexis Perez’s 29th-minute long-range strike that had given Al Wasl the lead. Al Sadd couldn’t capitalise on their numerical advantage after Al Wasl were reduced to 10 men following a red card to Soufiane Bouftini, who was sent off after a VAR review for a dangerous tackle. Al Sadd will host Al Hilal in their next match on November 26 in Doha while Al Wasl, who have seven points, will meet Iraq’s Al Shorta in an away game the same day.