AFC Champions League Two:
Shootout defeat shatters Tractor’s Asian dream
Tractor’s bid for a maiden Asian crown ended in vain after the Persian Gulf Pro League club suffered a 4-2 shootout defeat against Saudi side Al Taawoun in the AFC Champions League Two quarterfinals on Tuesday.
With the tie finely balanced after a first-leg goalless stalemate in Tabriz last week, Tractor drew first blood through Brazilian Ricardo Alves from the spot in the 50th minute, only to see Musa Barrow restore parity four minutes later to force the game into extra time at Buraidah’s Wolves Park.
Substitute Sultan Mandash gave the home side the lead right at the start of extra time, when he latched onto a free-kick from Aschraf El Mahdioui, went past the goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand and slammed the ball into the back of the net.
The visitors equalized in the 105th minute via Domagoj Drozdek, who headed in from close range off a cross by Danial Esmaeilifar.
The shootout drama mirrored numerous Iran-Saudi encounters throughout the years.
Tractor’s Mahdi Shiri sent his effor over the bar and Sajjad Ashouri was denied by goalkeeper Abdulquddus Atiiay, while Al Taawoun penalty takers sent Beiranvand the wrong way on four occasions to convert all their attempts.
Tractor head coach Dragan Skocic felt his side deserved to go through but admitted their failure to finish chances in the first leg cost them.
“Our home match is the reason we are eliminated, as we had six chances but failed to score,” said Skocic.
“This match was even, with both teams exchanging scoring opportunities, and there were good moments for each team throughout the match.”
Skocic’s opposite number Mohammed Al Abdali, meanwhile, applauded his players incredible fitness and vigor throughout the 120 minutes of action.
“Everything that happened to us had a positive impact. Maybe Tractor having the weekend off to prepare for this game affected them negatively.
“We worked hard to prepare all the players to avoid fatigue. We made sure that they were ready for every match, and this helped us a lot.”
Tuesday’s setback wrapped up a dreadful campaign for the Iranian top-flight sides on the continental stage.
Persepolis crashed out of the league stage of the ACL Elite, before Esteghlal suffered a 3-0 aggregate loss to Saudi heavyweight Al Nassr in the round of 16, while Sepahan failed to progress beyond the group phase of the Asian second-tier competition.