Iranian Pro League Champions Persepolis are one step closer to the 2018 Asian Champions League Final after leaving Doha with a 1-0 victory over Al Sadd on 2 October.
The only goal of the game was scored in the 86th minute when Ali Alipour converted a penalty.
But I must be quick to say that I am surprised the penalty was awarded to Persepolis.
After all, there hasn’t been a lot of good luck for Iranian footballers in tournaments organized by the Asian Football Confederation.
Nonetheless, the return leg will be played on 23 October at Azadi Stadium and a win or draw will put Persepolis into the Asian Champions League Final.
Right now a lot of Iranian football fans feel that Persepolis is already in the final, but Al Sadd has the small advantage of being able to push forward and go for goals because they have nothing to lose.
I am just hoping that Persepolis will not play with the strategy of only wanting to protect the lead.
The bottom line is that the crowd at Azadi Stadium must be loud and crazy in order to cheer Persepolis to an easy victory.