AFC – DUBAI, Emirati side Al Ahli and Iran\u2019s Sepahan shared a goalless draw on Tuesday which left both sides disappointed but equally still in contention for a place in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League.<\/p>\n
Sepahan\u2019s Mehdi Sharifi had the best chance to break the deadlock at Rashid Stadium as the visiting striker crashed a strike into the woodwork just after half-time as the former finalists looked to bounce back from last month\u2019s 2-1 home defeat by Al Ahli.<\/p>\n
Al Ahli remain undefeated in Group D, although they have yet to win at home in the AFC Champions League this season having shared a 2-2 draw with Qatar\u2019s Al Sadd last month.<\/p>\n
Sepahan next entertain 2011 champions Al Sadd in two weeks, while Saudi Arabia\u2019s Al Hilal make the trip to Dubai for the penultimate round of group stage fixtures.<\/p>\n
Neither side were able to take control of the contest in the early exchanges as Sepahan\u2019s Sharifi curling an effort just wide of Ahmed Ashoori\u2019s left-hand post from the edge of the area.<\/p>\n
Al Ahli did create chances of their own in a tight first half as Ciel and Grafite went close, although a concern for the home side was an injury to Luis Jimenez with the midfielder forced off before half-time.<\/p>\n
Having went close in the first half for Sepahan, Sharifi was inches away from a breakthrough less than five minutes into the second half as the striker rattled the Al Ahli crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.<\/p>\n