Qatar’s Al Ahli SC secured a place in the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26™ quarter-finals after defeating Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC of the Islamic Republic of Iran 1-0 following extra time on Wednesday.
Qatar’s Al Ahli SC secured a place in the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26™ quarter-finals after defeating Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC of the Islamic Republic of Iran 1-0 following extra time on Wednesday.
With the tie level at 2-2 from the opening leg, neither side managed to score during regulation, forcing an additional 30 minutes where Younes Ali’s men eventually found the decisive moment through Sekou Yansane. The victory sets up a last-eight meeting with Jordan’s Al Hussein.
Sepahan believed they had struck first in the seventh minute when Kaveh Rezaei headed home from a Mehdi Lamouchi delivery, beating Marwan Sherif. However, after a VAR check, the effort was ruled out for offside.
Technology played a part again soon after when referee Ryo Tanimoto initially awarded a penalty for Ehsan Hajisafi’s challenge on Robin Tihi. A review overturned the decision, allowing Sepahan to escape without conceding from the spot.
Both sides displayed strong defending before halftime, ensuring the score remained unchanged. Sepahan goalkeeper Seyedhossein Hosseini produced a remarkable stop, clawing Ahmad Reyad’s attempt off the line.
At the other end, William Ekong intervened decisively, stretching out a leg to deny Arash Rezavand from close range. The contest continued to be finely balanced as the teams headed into the interval locked at 0-0.
Sepahan threatened shortly after the restart. On the hour mark, Ricardo Alves won possession near midfield and released Rezaei, whose curling effort skimmed the top of the crossbar.
Erik Exposito later found room outside the area in the 72nd minute and unleashed a strike that took a slight touch on its way through, but Hosseini reacted superbly to keep it out. Neither team could find a goal in normal time.
The stalemate ended almost immediately after extra time began. Just a minute in, Mohammad Daneshgar misdirected a header that fell kindly for Yansane, who advanced and calmly finished past Hosseini.
Sepahan pushed for an equaliser to force penalties, with Daneshgar coming closest in the 107th minute through a half-volley. Sherif gathered the attempt, preserving his side’s advantage.
Al Ahli maintained their composure in the closing stages to secure progression and confirm their quarter-final clash with Al Hussein.
