DOHA (Qatar): Iran’s Persepolis and Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr topped their respective groups to confirm their spots in the Asian Champions League last 16 on Thursday.
Persepolis, two-time finalists, had slipped to a 1-0 loss to the club from the United Arab Emirates on Matchday Five, but they eventually claimed all three points against Laurent Blanc’s already-eliminated side after a nervy second half in Goa.
Shahriyar Moghanlou opened the scoring in the 27th minute having earlier hit the crossbar with a header before Ehsan Pahlavan doubled the Iranian side’s advantage seven minutes later.
But two goals from Yohan Boli kept Al Rayyan in contention in the second 45 minutes and Persepolis needed further efforts from Hossein Kanani and Isa Alkasir to confirm their fifth victory in six games in the group phase.
In Riyadh, Al Nassr displaced Qatar Stars League winners Al Sadd from the top of Group D with Abderrazak Hamdallah and Abdulelah Al Amiri finding the net either side of the break before Santi Cazorla made for a nervy finale when he pulled a goal back from the penalty spot with seven minutes remaining.
