{"id":29106,"date":"2017-09-17T16:17:24","date_gmt":"2017-09-17T23:17:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.persianfootball.com\/news\/?p=29106"},"modified":"2017-09-17T16:21:00","modified_gmt":"2017-09-17T23:21:00","slug":"afc-champions-league-sf-flashback-saudi-arabai-vs-iran-vdeo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.persianfootball.com\/news\/2017\/09\/17\/afc-champions-league-sf-flashback-saudi-arabai-vs-iran-vdeo\/","title":{"rendered":"AFC Champions League SF Flashback: Saudi Arabia vs. Iran [VDEO]"},"content":{"rendered":"

AFC – KUALA LUMPUR, After an enthralling set of quarter-finals, the 2017 AFC Champions League is now left with just four teams to fight it out for a spot in the continent’s showpiece match. <\/strong><\/p>\n

The West region semi-final will see Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia face Persepolis of the Islamic Republic of Iran. <\/p>\n

Riyadh-based Al Hilal were also involved the last and only time Saudi and Iranian have sides met at this stage since the tournament revamp in 2002-2003, when they locked horns with Zob Ahan in 2010.<\/p>\n

In the build-up to next week’s tie, let’s turn back the clock and refresh our memories of what happened back then. <\/p>\n

Road to the semi-finals<\/strong>
\nAsian giants Al Hilal began their AFC Champions League campaign that year in Group D, going on to top the group ahead of Mes Kerman, Al Sadd and Al Ahli.<\/p>\n

A 3-0 win over Bunyodkor followed in the Round of 16, which set up a clash with Qatar’s Al Gharafa in the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n

In a classic encounter that will live long in the fans’ memories, Al Hilal cruised to a 3-0 win at home, before being stunned 3-0 in Doha by Al Gharafa, who then made it 4-0 in extra time.<\/p>\n

Fortunately for Al Hilal, a thrilling climax saw late goals by Yasser Al Qahtani and Essa Al Mehyani take them through to the semi-finals.<\/p>\n

As for Zob Ahan, their appearance in 2010 was only the second in their history after making their debut in 2004, where they were knocked out in the group stage.<\/p>\n

The Isfahan-based side ended up topping a tough Group B, that featured Bunyodkor, Al Ittihad and Al Wahda – all of who had previously made semi-finals appearances.<\/p>\n

Zob Ahan then pipped fellow Iranian side Mes Kerman 1-0 in the Round of 16 before stunning the continent with a 3-2 aggregate win over defending champions Pohang Steelers in the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n

The Korean side had been leading the tie on away goals going into the last 10 minutes but a Mohammad Reza Khalatbari goal in the 80th minute ensured Zob Ahan would face Al Hilal in the semi-finals.<\/p>\n

The first leg: Zob Ahan seize the initiative, Wilhelmsson misses penalty<\/strong>
\nBoth sides had chances to go ahead early on at the Foolad Shahr Stadium, with Khalatbari and a 20-year old Nawaf Al Abed missing the target with their attempts.<\/p>\n

Al Hilal had keeper Hassan Al Otaibi to thank in the 21st minute when he pulled off a stunning reflex save to deny Igor Castro.<\/p>\n

With the first half edging towards a goalless end, Al Hilal came up with a fine passing move that released Al Qahtani but the Saudi star was brought down in the box, earning him a penalty.<\/p>\n

However, it was Zob Ahan who celebrated after Christian Wilhelmsson’s effort was saved by Gordan Shahabaldin.<\/p>\n

Zob Ahan then made their opponents pay after the break, when Ghasem Haddadifar struck a low free-kick that went through the wall and into the goal, giving the home side a 1-0 lead.<\/p>\n

Al Abed struck the post with a fierce left-footed shot and Al Hilal had more chances to equalise but failed to put them away.<\/p>\n

First leg:<\/strong>
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