Iran’s Persepolis Sneaks Late Draw against Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Persepolis football team of Iran came back from two goals down to draw with Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli in the first leg of the 2017 AFC Champions League quarter-final.
On Tuesday, Godwin Mensha came off the bench to score a late equalizer and earns Persepolis a 2-2 draw with Al Ahli at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat, Oman.
Omar Al Soma slotted home the rebound after Persepolis keeper Alireza Beiranvand parried a shot from Saleh Al Jamaan into the Syrian striker's path in the second minute.
Shortly before the hour, recent signing Leonardo da Silva made it 2-0 for the Jeddah-based side by finishing off a pass from Al Jamaan.
Shoja Khalilzadeh pulled a goal back with a header in the 72nd minute and with six minutes remaining, Nigerian Mensha fired past Mohammed Al Owais in the Al Ahli goal to cap an excellent comeback for Persepolis and leave the tie firmly in the balance ahead of the second leg in Abu Dhabi in three weeks' time.
