2021 ACL Group D: Foolad Ends Campaign with Defeat
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Foolad football team of Iran was defeated against Jordan's Al-Wehdat 1-0 in 2021 AFC Champions League Group D campaign on Thursday.
There was only pride on the line for Al-Wehdat and Foolad as both sides were out of contention for a place in the knockout stage, but that didn’t stop the two teams from opting for an intense pressing style of play.
Al-Wehdat, bolstered by its 2-1 victory over Al-Nassr on Matchday Five, edged past Foolad thanks to Hassan Saad’s goal in the 27th minute.
A stung Foolad pressed hard for the equalizer, with Chimba coming close at the half-hour mark with his strike from range with Al-Wehdat custodian Abdallah Alfakhori diving to save.
Foolad’s Ayanda Patosi smashed his strike into a wall of defenders, before Mehran Derakhshan missed with his shot at the 44th minute as Al-Wehdat held on to the lead going into the break.
Derakshan should have equalized four minutes into the second half when he beat the offside trap to connect with Mohammad Miri’s through pass, but his tame shot was no trouble for ‘keeper Alfakhori.
Foolad continued to attack in the second half but failed to equalize the match.
