AFC Champions League Elite:
Azmoun double leads Shabab Al Ahli past Al Ittihad
Iranian international striker Sardar Azmoun scored two early goals to steer the UAE’s Shabab Al Ahli to a 2-1 victory over Saudi heavyweight Al Ittihad on matchday two of the AFC Champions League Elite in Jeddah on Tuesday.
Backed by a capacity crowd at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, the home side started positively, with Ahmed Al Julaydan forcing Matheus Donelli into a save from a tight angle in the sixth minute.
Shabab Al Ahli, however, struck a minute later when Guilherme Bala powered down the left channel and deep into the box before teeing up the unmarked Azmoun to slot home, with the goal confirmed following a VAR review.
Azmoun bagged his second of the night in trademark fashion in the 16th minute.
Reza Ghandipour, who had just replaced the injured Bala, released his fellow Iranian with a through ball before Azmoun outpaced his markers and rounded Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajković to convert from a tight angle, taking his tally to three goals and two assists in seven appearances across all competitions for the Emirati outfit this season.
Richard Ríos gave Al Ittihad a lifeline midway through the second half when the Colombian received Marwan Al Sahafi’s layoff just outside the area before firing a powerful strike past Shabab goalkeeper Matheus Donelli.
Al Ittihad desperately pushed for an equalizer in the closing stages, with Ríos firing Houssem Aouar’s cut-back just over the bar in the 88th minute before Saleh Al Shehri spurned another chance in stoppage time.
Shabab Al Ahli, who had beaten Iranian top-flight side Tractor 1-0 at home in their league-stage opener, moved on to a perfect six points, trailing Al Ain, Esteghlal and Al Hilal on goal difference at the top of the West Zone’s 16-team table.
“I dedicate this victory to our fans, and I’m happy that we managed to win and secure all three points. We defeated a strong opponent packed with star players,” Azmoun said after the game.
“Al Ittihad are a quality team with a star-studded squad. They have some excellent players. We managed to win this difficult match thanks to our high level of concentration. I believe concentration was the key to our victory,” added the Iranian.
Meanwhile, Shahab Zahedi was the other Iranian striker in action in the continental club competition on Tuesday, making his mark in Johor Darul Ta’zim’s impressive 2-0 away victory over FC Pohang Steelers.
With the match seemingly heading into the break goalless, JDT were awarded a penalty after Min-gwang brought down Zahedi two minutes before halftime. The penalty was overturned in favor of a free kick following a VAR review, but Min-gwang’s yellow card was upgraded to a red, leaving the Steelers without their captain for the second half.
The Malaysian visitors made full use of their numerical advantage four minutes into the second half when Marcos Guilherme, picking up Zahedi’s through ball, shrugged off his marker and drilled the ball between the goalkeeper’s legs from the left of the six-yard box.
Guilherme put the match beyond the Steelers’ reach in the 89th minute when he pounced on a parry by Hong Seong-min from a Bergson strike, evaded the defense and drove the ball into an empty net past the prone goalkeeper.
JDT are fifth in the East Zone standings with four points.