August 28 – Al Sadd took a major step towards the semi-finals of the 2018 AFC Champions League after two goals from Baghdad Bounedjah secured the Qatari side a 3-1 comeback win over Iran’s Esteghlal in the first leg of the competition’s quarter-finals on Monday.
The 2011 champions began the game brightly in Tehran, but were dealt a blow in the 12th minute when a high ball into the Al Sadd box was headed down by Boualem Khoukhi for his goalkeeper Meshaal Aissa to pick up, but the young custodian inadvertently let it slip past him to gift the hosts an opener.
Esteghlal maintained their lead until half-time, after surviving a scare in injury time when Akram Afif’s shot rebounded off the post to be gathered by Esteghlal keeper Mehdi Rahmati.
In the second half, Al Sadd came out looking for a way back into the game and were rewarded for their attacking intent with a goal at the hour mark following a well-worked move. After a fine one-two with Bounedjah, Afif sped past his marker and finished past Rahmati to level the score.
Five minutes later, Bounedjah latched onto Xavi’s flicked through ball, made his way into the box and turned Mohammad Daneshgar inside out before slotting home Al Sadd’s second goal.
Bounedjah then made it 3-1 for the Qataris in the 74th minute after winning and converting a penalty, following a foul on him by Vouria Ghafouri.
Al Sadd will now take home a valuable advantage ahead of the return leg in Doha on September 17.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714111931labto1714111931ofdlr1714111931owedi1714111931sni@o1714111931fni1714111931
