Mahdi Rajabzadeh’s rapid fire strike in the opening minute of the second half was enough to ensure Zob Ahan started its 2016 AFC Champions League campaign with a 1-0 win over Qatari team in Doha’s Abdulla Bin Khalifa Stadium.
Zob Ahan could have gone two goals up on the hour mark, only for Mahdi Mahdipour’s shot from outside the penalty area to sear just wide of Lekhwiya’s right post as the Iranians continued to maintain the pressure.
Elsewhere, Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia drew 3-3 with Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor.