AFC Champions League Elite:
Ezzatollahi on target to help Shabab Al Ahli into last four
AFC Champions League Elite:
Ezzatollahi on target to help Shabab Al Ahli into last four
Iranian midfielder Saeid Ezzatollahi was on the scoresheet to help Emirati club Shabab Al Ahli defeat Thai champion Buriram United 3-2 in the AFC Champions League Elite quarterfinals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday.
The Iranian international headed home from close range to double his team’s lead four minutes into the second half, after Peter Zulj’s 13th-minute own goal had put Shabab Al Ahli in front at the Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium.
This was Ezzatollahi’s second goal in as many games in the knockout stage of the Asian elite clubs’ competition this season, following his second-half strike in a 3-0 victory over Iranian top-flight champion Tractor in the round of 16 last Tuesday.
Buriram United showed fighting spirit to restore parity within six minutes.
Ezzatollahi gave Buriram a lifeline in the 64th minute when the midfielder used his hand to block a Supachai Chaided header, with Guilherme Bissoli easily placing the ensuing spot-kick past Hamad Al Meqbali.
Austrian midfielder Zulj found redemption when he waltzed his way to the edge of the box before placing the ball in the bottom corner for the Buriram equalizer.
Shabab Al Ahli, however, had the last laugh as Brazilian defender Renan Victor scored the winner in the third minute of extra time to set up a last-four date against Japanese club Machida Zelvia on Tuesday.
Australian striker Tete Yengi was on target on the half-hour mark to lead the J1 League outfit to a 1-0 win over Saudi Pro League champion Al Ittihad on Friday. The other semifinal contest will see Japan’s Vissel Kobe and defending champion Al Ahli Saudi go head-to-head on Sunday in Jeddah.
The final showpiece will be staged at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Saturday.