Matchday five of AFC Champions League action continued on 25 April as Esteghlal hosted Al-Ahli in Tehran and Esteghlal Khuzestan faced Al-Fateh in Qatar.
In Group A, Esteghlal hosted Emirati club Al-Ahli but fell behind in the 17th minute on a goal scored by Abdelaziz Sanqour. In the second half, Iranian forward Kaveh Rezaei equalized right before the hour mark as 75,000 fans erupted in delight at the intimidating Azadi Stadium. Esteghlal was unable to find to find the go-ahead goal and had to settle for a 1-1 draw. Esteghlal will face Saudi Arabian club Al-Taawoun in Doha on 9 May and are currently in second place with eight points.
Esteghlal Khuzestan faced Saudi Arabian club Al-Fateh in Doha in a match where both goals were scored in the final minutes. Ali Al-Zaqaan gave Al-Fateh a 1-0 lead in the 85th minute but Esteghlal Khuzestan were rescued in the first minute of stoppage time on a fantastic bicycle kick goal scored by Salman Bahrani.
Esteghlal Khuzestan now sit second place in Group B with eight points and will face Emirati club Al-Jazira in Ahvaz on 9 May in which a victory will guarantee a spot in the knockout phase.