Al Ahli’s Erik Exposito (right) celebrates after scoring a goal.
Doha, Qatar: A late Erik Exposito goal saw Al Ahli SC hold Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC to a 2-2 draw in their AFC Champions League Round of 16 first leg at Al Thumama Stadium yesterday.
The Spaniard’s stoppage-time equaliser came minutes after Sepahan were reduced to 10 men following Omid Norafkan’s red card, leaving the tie finely balanced ahead of next week’s return leg at the same venue.
Sepahan threatened first in the 11th minute when Arya Yousefi delivered a cross that Mohammed Mehdi Lofti headed just wide. The Iranian side capitalised on their next opportunity nine minutes later, with Lofti feeding Ehsan Hajisafi, whose low cross was swept home by Ricardo Alves for the opener. Al Ahli responded in the 28th minute through a swift break led by Sekou Yansane, who released Exposito inside the box.
Exposito’s first-time pass found Michel Vlap, who side-footed home for his fifth goal of the campaign. Al Ahli almost took the lead in the 41st minute when Exposito crossed for Yansane, but his volley was pushed away by Sepahan keeper Seyed Hossein.
Sepahan regained the lead in the seventh minute of first-half added time as Arash Rezavand met Lofti’s cross with a downward header that left Al Ahli goalkeeper Yazan Alsheikh with no chance.
The second half was scrappy, with Sepahan adopting a defensive stance while Al Ahli probed, including a Yansane strike in the 57th minute that was comfortably saved. Norafkan’s dismissal in the 90th minute for a foul on Suhaib Gannan opened the door for Al Ahli. Gannan’s effort in stoppage time was blocked by Hossein, but Exposito was quick to react and steer the rebound home. A VAR review of a scramble involving Exposito and Milad Zakipour did not result in a penalty, and the match ended in a stalemate.
