Saipa seal top spot

AFC - Iranian champions Saipa secured top spot in Group B to book their place in the knockout phase of the AFC Champions League with a 1-0 win over Kuwait Sports Club (KSC) on Wednesday evening.

Victory over the Kuwaitis means Ali Daei's team cannot be surpassed at the summit, with second-placed Al Quwa Al Jawiya holding an inferior head-to-head record against the Karaj-based club.

Kianoush Rahmati's unstoppable long-range effort in the 24th minute proved the only goal of the game at the Enghelab Stadium, although Mohammad Javad Araghi did hit the woodwork late on, to progress to the last eight for the first time.

Saipa, who were missing midfielder Omid Sharifi through suspension, nearly went in front in the opening exchanges when Rahmati's cross from the left was headed goalwards by Roozbeh Shahalidoust only to be cleared off the line KSC defender Yaqoub Al Taher.

Saipa continued to press and they went close again after 19 minutes when Malian midfielder Issa Traore headed Milad Zanidpour's cross over the bar before Rahmati shot straight at KSC goalkeeper Khalid Al Fadhli four minutes later.

But he made amends one minute later when he unleashed a first-time thunderbolt from distance which rocketed into the top right corner of Al Fadhi's net to give the home side the lead they craved.

KSC tried to hit back and had a chance after 32 minutes but Husain Al Shammari's free-kick was saved by Saipa goalkeeper Rahman Ahmadi.

Saipa then threatened to extend their advantage five minutes later but Zanidpour saw a left-foot shot inside the area punched away by Al Fadhli as the home side went in ahead at the break.

Saipa continued to hold the upper-hand in the second half and spurned another chance approaching the hour mark when Traore found himself with only the goalkeeper to beat but could not retain his composure and fired wide.

Kazem Bozcheloo went closer shortly afterwards off when he got on the end of Rahmati's corner but his effort was cleared off the line by Fahad Shaheen.

Saipa then had a great chance to put the result beyond doubt after 81 minutes when substitute Mohammad Javad Araghi cut into the area from the right flank but his shot was cleared by KSC defenders.

The midfielder picked up the loose ball but his shot struck the right-hand post but it proved academic as Saipa held on to claim the win they needed to progress to the last eight.