Zob Ahan and Qatar SC share spoils

Zob Ahan 3 Qatar SC 3
Foolad Shahr, Esfahan City, IRN
AFC Champions League Group A

AFC - Zob Ahan, of Iran, came back from two goals down to rescue a point from their AFC Champions League match against Qatar SC in Esfahan on Wednesday night.

The win keeps the Iranian side at the top of Group A, while the visitors hold onto second spot, a point ahead of Pakhtakor, of Uzbekistan, whose game against Riffa, of Bahrain, was postponed because of unrest in the central Asian country.

Zob Ahan dominated the opening half and took the lead after 15 minutes through Ali Tahmasebi following a mistake by the Qatar SC goalkeeper. The home side could even have extended the lead before the break as they hit the post, but the tables would be turned at the start of the second half.

The Qataris came out after the break with renewed vigour and took the lead within three minutes as quick raids down the wings set up Qatar international Meshal Mubarak for goals after 46 and 48 minutes.

Nine minutes later, Argentine World Cup Claudio Caniggia penetrated deep into the Iranian defence before dribbling past goalkeeper Armenak Petrosian and putting the ball into the unguarded Zob Ahan net to make it 3-1.

Despite the shock of suddenly finding themselves two goals adrift, Zob Ahan reduced the deficit on 65 minutes through substitute Reza Azizi.

And, with six minutes remaining of an enthralling encounter, Iranian Olympic defender Hamid Azizadeh popped up to hit the equaliser and set up a grandstand finish.

The home side could have won the game late on, but in the end had to settle for a share of the points in an entertaining encounter.