Tehran: Iran’s Esteghlal defeated Al Gharafa 3-0 in their 2024-2025 AFC Champions League Elite opener at the Shahr-e Qods Stadium in Tehran on Monday.
An own goal by Al Gharafa’s Abdulla Yousif in the fourth minute was followed by Ramin Rezaeian’s (79th minute) and Arash Rezavand’s (88th minute) goals as the Iranian side went home with the maximum points on offer.
Al Gharafa unexpectedly found themselves on the backfoot early, with Yousif turning the ball into his own net in an attempt to make a clearance to put pressure on the Qatari side, who are meeting their Iranian counterparts for the first time since they clashed in the group stage of AFC Champions League in 2010.
Stunned by the early deficit, The Cheetahs began to grow into the game as the match wore on and they almost equalised in the 14th minute through Spanish striker Joselu, whose effort from the centre of the box, off an assist by Yousif, was somehow blocked.
Esteghlal almost added to their tally in the 29th minute when Didier Ndong had an opportunity to shoot from an advantageous position, but his right-footed shot from outside the box went wide and high.
Another opportunity beckoned for Al Gharafa in the 41st minute, but Ferjani Sassi’s right-footed shot from outside the box went just a bit too high.
The second half witnessed a more determined play from Al Gharafa, who went all out on an attacking mode on resumption of play but for all their efforts, Esteghlal’s defence stood resolute in curtailing the advances of the Qatari side.
Spurred on by the capacity home crowd, Esteghlal upped the ante with each passing minute as they piled relentless pressure on Al Gharafa’s defence, with goalkeeper Khalifa Ababacar rising to the occasion several times in the half to prevent additional goals from their opponents.
Esteghlal eventually got their second goal in the 79th minute, with Rezaeian finding the net with a right-footed shot from the right side of the box to the centre of the goal, assisted by Mehrdad Mohammadi.
The second goal somehow dealt a blow to the hopes of a comeback from Al Gharafa and it was not therefore surprising that they succumbed to another goal nine minutes later through Rezavand, who perfectly finished a fast break orchestrated by Abolfazl Jalali as the hosts went home with three goals in the bag.
