AFC - Kaveh Rezaei scored 14 minutes from time to confirm Esteghlal’s place in the Round of 16 of the 2017 AFC Champions League on Tuesday as the Iranian side handed Saudi Arabia’s Al Taawoun a 2-1 defeat.

Al Taawoun needed to win to have any chance of advancing into the knockout rounds, but fell behind to a Jaber Ansari (pictured right) goal 19 minutes into the game.

Mohammed Al Saiari levelled the for the Saudis in the 36th minute before Rezaei claimed the winner, which takes Esteghlal into the next phase of the competition - where they will meet Al Ain - alongside group winners Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates.

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