Persepolis Edges Al-Taawoun to Go Group C Top
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Iran’s Persepolis FC repeated its 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia’s Al-Taawoun FC on Matchday Four of the 2020 AFC Champions League Group C on Friday.
Sharjah’s 4-2 win over Al-Duhail earlier on Friday opened the group up, meaning that regardless of the result, both Al-Taawoun and Persepolis would remain in contention going into Matchday Five, but a win for either side at Education City Stadium would send them top of Group C.
Persepolis came closest to opening the scoring in the last minute of the first half when Isa Al Kasir received Ehsan Pahlavan’s pass on the left flank, cut inside and bent an effort that rattled goalkeeper Cassio’s upright before going wide.
The Iranians started the second half with a bang, piling the pressure on their opponents and forcing a mistake from Brazilian defender Iago Santos who fouled Al Kasir inside the box, prompting the referee to point to the spot.
With just three minutes gone after the restart, Iraqi midfielder Bashar Resan stepped up and converted from the spot, to hand Persepolis the lead.
The result means Persepolis topples Al-Taawoun off the top of the group, taking the top spot for the first time with seven points.
The Saudi side drops to second, with a superior head-to-head record keeping them above Qatar’s Al-Duhail, while Emirati Sharjah remains bottom despite its victory earlier on Friday.
