Bayatinia, Khatibi hat-tricks help Iran past Arabs in Champions League

MNA – Strikers Mohsen Bayatinia and Rassul Khatibi hit their hat-tricks to help Iran’s representatives in the AFC Champions League beat Kuwaiti and Syrian sides, Al Salmia and Al Wahda, Wednesday.

The Group A-bound Pas came from goal down to demolish Al Salmia 5-1 in Shahid Dastgerdi Stadium, western Tehran.

Against the run of play, the visitor found Pas net in the 37th minute when Salem al Buraiki fired home from a tight angle, but the Iran Pro League holder stunned the Kuwaitis with five goals after the interval.

Issa Traore leveled the match five minutes into second half, slipping to steer home a through ball from Meysam Manii.

Traore turned provider on 68 minutes, feeding supersub Mohsen Bayatinia with a header and the striker coolly beat Al Salmia keeper in a man-to-man challenge.

National midfielder celebrated the third as its 25-yard drive kissed the net seven minutes later.

Turkish manager of Pas, Mustafa Denizli, wore a broad smile when Bayatinia unleashed a world-class shot from edge of the box past the keeper in the 80th minute.

The forward grabbed his own third and team’s fifth five minutes from time.

In Damascus, Khatibi was Man of the Match in Group B clash, inspiring Sepahan into a 3-1 win over Al Wahda.

The nimble striker took an early lead for Sepahan, rifling home with a powerful left shot from close range.

Khatibi, who was brought down in the box on 66 minutes, himself converted the penalty kick.

Not to be outdone by Bayatinia, Khatibi dispossessed Al Wahda defender in the area, dribbling past the keeper to send the ball into the unguarded net in the stoppage time.