TEHRAN – Persepolis of Iran defeated Al Sadd of Qatar and advanced to the 2018 AFC Champions League knockout stage as Group C table-toppers.

The Iranian giants beat Al Sadd 1-0 in front of about 40,000 spectators in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.

Al Sadd Iranian defender Morteza Pouraliganji scored the only goal of the match just three minutes into the match.

Al Sadd were the better team in the second half and created several chances but lacked a cutting edge in attack.

With three minutes remaining, Al Sadd striker Baghdad Bounedjah hit the bar with a right footed shot from the center of the box.

Persepolis will play the Group A second-placed team in Round of 16.

On Tuesday, Lokomotiv of Uzbekistan will host Iran’s Zob Ahan in Tashkent in Group B and Iranian already-relegated Tractor Sazi meet Al Gharafa of Qatar in Group A.

The AFC Champions League, commonly known as the Asian Champions League, is an annual continental club football competition organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).