Al Rayyan go down to Esteghlal

Tehran, Iran: Al Rayyan’s hopes of qualifying for the AFC Champions League last 16 hinges on their final Group D match against Al Ain after the Qatari side lost 0-2 to Esteghlal on Monday.

Meanwhile, the victory, thanks to an early goal from Server Djeparov and a second-half penalty from Vouria Ghafouri, was enough for the Iranians to book their knock-out berth.

Esteghlal top the group with nine points while Al Ain are second on seven. Rayyan are on six points and need to beat Al Ain at home on April 16 to progress.

Esteghlal were off to a flying start in the match played at Azadi Stadium as Djeparov beat Rayyan keeper Omar Barry with a right-footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner in the fourth minute.

Rayyan were desperately looking for an equaliser but it was Esteghlal who scored again after Mohammed Al Aaeldin fouled Dariush Shojaeian inside the area in the 58th minute.

Vouria Ghafouri stepped up to drive home from the penalty spot to make it 2-0.