Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
Al Duhail reached the group stage of the AFC Champions League Elite after a thrilling 3–2 win over Iran’s Sepahan. The match was played at Khalifa International Stadium on Tuesday as part of the preliminary round. This victory makes Al Duhail the 12th team to compete in the West Asia group of the tournament. The team showed determination and skill throughout the match to earn their spot.
Early Goal Shocks Al Duhail
The match began with a surprise for the home team. Sepahan’s defender Amin Hazbavi scored in the 3rd minute following a defensive mistake by Al Duhail. This early goal put pressure on the hosts and gave the Iranian team confidence. Fans were quickly reminded that Sepahan could be a challenging opponent.
Quick Equalizer by Bamba
Al Duhail responded quickly. In the 11th minute, Ibrahima Bamba scored with a header from a corner kick. This goal made the score 1–1 and lifted the team’s spirits. After this equalizer, Al Duhail gained control of the game and began to dominate possession, showing more confidence in attack and defense.
Boulbina Scores Second Goal
Al Duhail continued to attack strongly. In the 24th minute, Algerian striker Adil Boulbina scored the second goal. He received a pass from Brazilian defender Lucas Silva, controlled the ball perfectly, and placed it into the top corner of the net. This goal gave Al Duhail a 2–1 lead and increased their momentum in the match.
Piatek Makes it 3–1
Just nine minutes later, Polish striker Krzysztof Piatek scored the third goal for Al Duhail. He took advantage of a defensive error by Sepahan’s Ehsan Hajsafi and fired a strong shot into the net. With this goal, Al Duhail extended their lead to 3–1, putting them in a comfortable position before the end of the first half.
Missed Chances Before Half-Time
Even with a two-goal lead, Al Duhail missed some chances to score more. French player Benjamin Bourigeaud hit the post in the 39th minute, while Adil Boulbina missed a one-on-one chance after a pass from Edmilson Junior in the final minute of the first half. The first half ended with Al Duhail leading 3–1, leaving Sepahan needing two goals to get back into the match.
Sepahan Attacks in Second Half
Sepahan started the second half strongly, attacking with more confidence. Kaveh Rezaei nearly scored from a direct free kick in the 50th minute, but goalkeeper Salah Zakaria made a brilliant save. Later, in the 67th minute, Zakaria denied another scoring chance from a header by Arash Reza. These saves kept Al Duhail in control and prevented Sepahan from reducing the gap too soon.
Al Duhail Threatens on Counters
Al Duhail continued to threaten Sepahan with fast counterattacks. Piatek had a good chance in the 72nd minute after receiving a pass from Boulbina, but he shot wide under pressure. Later, in the 79th minute, Piatek scored again after a pass from Marco Verratti, but the goal was disallowed due to offside. These moments showed that Al Duhail stayed focused and dangerous throughout the match.
Late Goal for Sepahan
In stoppage time, Sepahan scored a consolation goal. Milad Zakipour followed up on a rebound from the goalkeeper in the 90+3rd minute and scored. However, it was too late to change the result. Al Duhail held on to win 3–2, securing their spot in the group stage of the AFC Champions League Elite.
Al Duhail Shows Strong Performance
This match highlighted Al Duhail’s strong performance in both attack and defense. They recovered quickly from an early goal, dominated possession, and created multiple scoring chances. Their quick reactions, team coordination, and effective finishing helped them secure a win in an important qualifying match.
Key Players in the Match
Several players stood out for Al Duhail. Ibrahima Bamba scored the equalizer, Adil Boulbina contributed with a goal and several chances, and Krzysztof Piatek scored a crucial goal to secure the lead. Goalkeeper Salah Zakaria also played a key role with important saves. These performances were decisive in helping Al Duhail advance to the group stage.
Exciting Moments and Highlights
The match included many exciting moments. Sepahan’s early goal surprised the hosts, but Al Duhail’s response was fast and effective. There were close misses, blocked shots, brilliant saves, and a disallowed goal. Fans witnessed an entertaining and competitive match, ending in a deserved 3–2 victory for the home team.
Looking Ahead for Al Duhail
With this victory, Al Duhail is now ready to compete in the AFC Champions League Elite group stage. The team has shown it can handle pressure, recover from setbacks, and maintain strong performance against tough opponents. Fans can look forward to more exciting matches as Al Duhail represents West Asia in the continental competition.
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