2021 ACL Group E: Persepolis Beats Al-Rayyan to Seal Top Spot in Style
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Persepolis of Iran secured top spot in Group E of the 2021 AFC Champions League on Thursday as Yahya Golmohammadi’s side bounced back from its loss against Al-Wahda to hand Qatar’s Al-Rayyan a 4-2 defeat that ensured its passage to the Round of 16.
Shahriyar Moghanlou opened the scoring in the 27th minute having earlier hit the crossbar with a header before Ehsan Pahlavan doubled the Iranian side’s advantage seven minutes later.
Al-Rayyan rallied early in the second half when Yohan Boli netted from eight yards out after Persepolis goalkeeper Hamed Lak was only able to parry Ali Farydoon’s long-range attempt three minutes after the restart.
By the 68th minute the Iranians had restored is advantage. The Al-Rayyan defense only partially cleared a corner, allowing Mehdi Torabi to send over a curling center towards the far post that Hossein Kanaani headed past Younis.
Boli struck again 18 minutes from time when Yacine Brahimi’s initial shot was blocked by the Persepolis defense, but the Iranians claimed its fourth less than a minute later when Alekasir netted from seven yards out, finally sealing the win that guaranteed his team top spot in Group E.
