AFC - Sepahan's Brazilian
coach Jorvan Vieira played down the magnitude of his side's 2-1 victory over
two-time champions Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia, despite it keeping their
hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals from Group A alive.
Seyed Mohammad Salehi and defender Hadi Aghili scored in the second half for
last year's finalists, while substitute Talal Al Meshal grabbed a
consolation for the visitors in the closing stages.
Sepahan's first points in three games in the continental competition helped
Vieira's side move within three points of Al Ittihad, who lost their 100
percent start to the competition.
"I don't think we should celebrate too much. We have narrowed the gap to the
other teams but there is much more work to do," said Vieira, who led Iraq to
last year's AFC Asian Cup title.
"We made a few mistakes like giving them too much space, which led to their
goal. But we had to take risks because we had to win.
"I'm very optimistic that we can progress and I want the players to be the
same."
Salehi made no mistake from close range after being picked out by Hadi
Jafari's inviting cross a minute before the hour mark before Aghily doubled
the lead with 19 minutes remaining after heading home Ehsan Hajy Safi's
cross.
Sepahan goalkeeper Abbas Mohammadi was beaten with two minutes remaining
when former AFC Player of the Year Hamad Al Montashari crossed for second
half substitute Al Meshal to head home what proved to be Al Ittihad's
consolation.
Al Ittihad coach Estevam Soares was left to bemoan poor finishing from the
Saudi league side, who were without suspended midfielder Saud Al Khariri and
injured forward Magno Alves.
"In the second half both teams had chances but we couldn't take ours and
Sepahan could. We had a bad day," said the Brazilian.
"If Al Khariri and Alves had been here there would have been a different
result. They're two of our key players and we missed them."
The Saudis, who won back-to-back AFC Champions League titles in 2004 and
2005, were criticised by some for being over physical but Soares dismissed
such accusations.
"Our players played fairly," he added. "I like to be physical but I don't
like going over the top."
