Doha – The much anticipated Asian Champions League battles between Iranian and Saudi Arabian clubs have begun. Yesterday Tractor Sazi defeated Al-Hilal in Doha, Qatar in a crucial Group C matchup.
Cameroonian striker Aloys Nong put Tractor in front in the 66th minute. A long throw-in became trouble in the Al-Hilal penalty area and was not cleared to safety. First, a header by defender Mohammad Iranpourian and then deflected in by the head of Aloys Nong.
Minutes later, Al-Hilal midfielder Salman Al-Faraj blasted a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area but was saved nicely by Tractor keeper Mohammad Reza Akhbari.
With nine minutes remaining on the clock, Aloys Nong made a nice move to evade two defenders and crossed the ball to Farzad Hatami in the penalty area. The Iranian winger wasted no time and fired the ball over the head of keeper Khalid Sharhili and into the net to give Tractor a 2-0 win.
Aloys Nong was clearly the man of the match with a goal and an assist. The victory for Tractor Sazi means that they have clinched the top spot in Group C and a place in the Asian Champions League knock-out stage where they will face the runner-up of Group A.
Tractor Sazi will face Al-Hilal on 3 May in Muscat, Oman.