Former semi-finalists Esteghlal returned to the AFC Champions League Group Stage following a three-year hiatus after overcoming Qatar’s Al Sadd 4-3 on penalties following a goalless stalemate at the Azadi Stadium on Tuesday.

The two-time Asian Club Championship winners had the better of proceedings against 2011 AFC Champions League winners Al Sadd but neither side was able to break the deadlock in 120 minutes of action.

Omid Ebrahimi missed Esteghlal’s second penalty of the shootout but they flawlessly converted the remaining spot kicks while Ibrahim Majed and Mohamed Kasola failed to hit the target for Al Sadd, allowing substitute Khosro Heidari to slam home the winner and take the Iranians into Group A where they will meet Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates, Uzbek side Lokomotiv and Saudi Arabia’s Al Taawoun.

(Source: the-afc)