Al Ahli’s wretched season con­tinued as they were beaten 1-0 by Tractor Sazi in northwestern Iran yesterday.

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Struggling in the Arabian Gulf League, Ahli boss Cosmin Olaroiu must have been hoping for a change in fortunes for his side in the conti­nental competition, but their prob­lems remain.

 

 

Farshad Ahmadzadeh’s neat fin­ish just before half-time proved enough for the hosts, who bounced back from a 2-1 defeat in their open­er in Uzbekistan to Nasaf last week.

Sazi manager Antonio Oliveira, a former Portuguese international midfielder who played for and man­aged Benfica, had demanded better defending after that loss. Defeat leaves Ahli bottom of Group D with one point from their opening draw against Al Ahli Jeddah.

The reigning Arabian Gulf League champions failed to get out of the group stages last year and could be in danger of repeating that.

Ahli were without suspended midfielder Luis Jimenez after his red card against their namesake the previous week, but they dominated the first 45 minutes.

The Dubai side enjoyed 67 per cent possession in the first half, but the hosts grew increasingly in con­fidence as Ahli failed to turn their territorial advantage into anything tangible.

Ismaeel Al Hamadi’s shot from the right flank almost caught goal­keeper Hamed Lak out in what was the visitors’ best chance of the half.

The opening period was tame but the opening goal was, at least, superb.

Ahmadzadeh turned in a cross at the back post from Fardin Aabedini. The substitute jinked past Walid Abbas, standing up a cross that the impressive 22-year-old despatched comfortably.

Sazi, who had seemed content to sit back initially, visibly grew in confidence after their goal.

Captain Mehdi Kiani almost dou­bled the lead before the break with a rocket of a free-kick that whistled just wide of Majed Naser’s goal.

Some of their interplay was int-ricate, but they were also happy to utilise the booming long throws of Iran’s 88-capped, former Bolton Wanderers’ midfielder Andranik Teymourian; players piling into the box every time he took to the touch­line.

Ahli had their moments in a more open second half, Habib Fardan’s shot blocked by Lak, while Al Hamadi’s acrobatic effort deserved a goal.

The hosts, however, held out with the visitors in trouble