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Tehran, Nov 16, IRNA - Representative of Iran, Esteqlal, has been
scheduled to play the second-leg Asian clubs match against Neftchi of Uzbekistan on November 26.
The two sides are to meet in Fergana, Uzbekistan, at 03:00 pm. On Wednesday, Iranian league giant Esteqlal took a big step toward
qualification for the lucrative group stage of the inaugural U.S.$3 million AFC Champions League when it beat Neftchi 1-0 in Tehran.
Uzbekistan's other AFC Champions League representative, Pakhtakor,enjoyed better luck scoring 3-2 win over Al Ahly of the United Arab
Emirates in Wednesday's other Zone One (West) fourth round encounter.
At the Takhti Stadium in Tehran, a second half goal by Mahdi Hashemi-Nassab proved to be the difference as Esteqlal edged Neftchi.
Hashemi-Nassab made no mistake in the 50th minute when he outjumped the Neftchi defense to head home a corner kick from the
right by Ahmad Karimloo.
AFC said the goal was an especially timely one for Hashemi-Nassab, who was keen to impress with Iranian Coach Branko
Ivancovic.
In Tashkent city, Uzbek League leaders Pakhtakor edged out Al Ahly of the United Arab Emirates in a thrilling match that saw the visitor
come from behind twice before succumbing 3-2.
Pakhtakor took the lead after 28 minutes through Soliev Anvarjon, but Iranian international Ali Karimi replied for Al Ahly just a minute
later to make it 1-1 at the break.
The home team enjoyed the greater share of possession and they went ahead again after 68 minutes as Gochguly Gochguliyev headed in a
corner kick.
However, the lead proved to be short-lived once again as Hassan Ali Ibrahim equalized almost immediately with a shot from 15 meters
out.
Zainitdin Tadjiyev won the match for Pakhtakor when he scored from close range in the 73rd minute to give the Uzbeks a slim advantage to
take into the second leg in Dubai.
On Tuesday, Qatar's Al Sadd managed a 1-1 draw against Syria's Al Jaish in Damascus.
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