ACL: Round of 16: Zobahan FC vs Esteghlal FC [Preview]

AFC – ISFAHAN, Just five days after claiming the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Hazfi Cup title, Esteghlal travel to domestic rivals Zobahan for the first leg of the 2018 AFC Champions League Round of 16 at Foolad Shahr Stadium on Tuesday.

Mame Thiam scored the only goal of the game as Esteghlal defeated Khooneh be Khooneh to round off their domestic season in style as the Tehran side’s strong recent form, which includes topping Group D with an unbeaten record, continued.

Esteghlal have now not been beaten in 15 games in a run that stretches back to early February, when Tuesday’s opponents Zobahan secured a 2-1 victory in Isfahan in the Iranian Pro League, before ultimately finishing in second place, a point in front of Esteghlal in third.

On the continent, meanwhile, Zobahan finished as Group B runners-up after a 1-1 Matchday Six draw with Lokomotiv ensured they qualified ahead of the Uzbek side by virtue of a better head-to-head record.

The 2010 runners-up Zobahan are competing in the last 16 for the second time in three years but have not been beyond this stage since 2011. Esteghlal, who have Omid Ebrahimi and Roozbeh Cheshmi available after suspension, last progressed beyond this stage in 2013 when they reached the semi-finals.