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Top QNB Stars League side Al Sadd went down fighting to Iran’s Persepolis in the AFC Champions League semifinal at the Azadi Stadium on Tuesday.

Al Sadd played out a fighting 1-1 draw with Persepolis in the second leg of their semifinal clash, but lost out 1-2 on aggregate, having lost the first leg 0-1 in Doha.

Persepolis will face either Suwon Samsung Bluewings or Kashima Antlers in the title clash.

Trailing by a goal from the first leg, it was Al Sadd who had greater impetus to score, fashioning an opportunity in the third minute.

However, Abdelkarim Hassan’s shot at goal flew straight into the hands of Persepolis goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.

The momentum soon swung the other way and the hosts threatened at the Al Sadd box. In the 14th minute, Godwin Mensha headed across the goalmouth after Ahmad Nourollahi’s corner, but Ali Mosleh was unable to connect.

Then, three minutes later, Al Sadd broke the deadlock and levelled the aggregate score. The Persepolis defence was flustered by a loose pass across it and tournament top scorer Baghdad Bounedjah finished off a first-time shot with aplomb past the outstretched arms of Beiranvand.

Persepolis responded with more urgency, but were denied any clear-cut scoring opportunities thereafter. It took until the 39th minute for one to materialise, but Godwin Mensha’s shot was saved by Meshaal Essa Barshim.

The script of the game changed dramatically right after half-time break  when Persepolis scored.

In the 49th minute, Siamak Nemati volleyed in Mensha’s cross from the left to make it 1-1 and put his side back in front on aggregate.

Al Sadd struggled to make inroads after Nemati’s strike, having to resort to desperate attempts. In one such instance, Pedro Miguel had a go at goal from over 35 yards out, but the ball bounced wide off Beiranvand’s post.

In the 64th minute, Barshim’s point-blank save from Alipour denied Persepolis of what could have been a deciding goal.

Beiranvand showed his quality and kept his side in the front seat with a composed performance, which included a stunning reflex save to keep out Xavi’s header in the 86th minute.

As the clock ticked on, Al Sadd pushed forward with all their strength, but it was Persepolis who held on to clinch a famous result in front of home fans.

Source: qsl.qa

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