Shabab Al Ahli Dubai defeated Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad 2-1 at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Tuesday night, October 13, in Matchweek 2 of the AFC Champions League Elite. Iranian striker Sardar Azmoun scored both goals in the seventh and 16th minutes to secure a second consecutive victory for the UAE side in the competition.

The opening goal came in the seventh minute following a swift counter-attack. Guilherme Bala beat two Al Ittihad players on the left flank before finding Azmoun unmarked in front of goal. Al Ittihad’s players protested, claiming they should have been awarded a penalty before the counter-attack began, but a VAR review found no infringement and the goal was upheld.

Azmoun scored his second goal in the 16th minute with the help of fellow Iranian Reza Ghandipour. Having just replaced the injured Guilherme Bala, Ghandipour used his first touch to play Azmoun through. The Iranian striker beat an Al Ittihad defender, rounded Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic and slotted the ball into the empty net.

Al Ittihad stepped up their attacking pressure in the second half, and Colombian midfielder Richard Rios cut the deficit to one goal in the 66th minute with a shot from outside the penalty area following a pass from Marwan Al Sahafi. However, the hosts’ subsequent efforts to find an equaliser proved unsuccessful, and Shabab Al Ahli held on to their lead until the final whistle.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Azmoun discussed the pressure he had faced at Shabab Al Ahli in recent weeks. He stressed that he had managed to overcome it and focus on the game. Explaining the reason behind his team’s victory, the Iranian striker said: “We were very focused tonight and believed we could win this match.” He cited a thorough understanding of the opposition and the players’ efforts on the pitch as key factors in the win.

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Saeid Ezatolahi, Shabab Al Ahli’s other Iranian international, also started as captain and remained on the pitch until the final whistle. Last season, he scored the only goal in his side’s victory over Al Ittihad at the same stadium.

Shabab Al Ahli, who defeated Iran’s Tractor 1-0 in the opening round, moved to six points with the victory and climbed to fourth in the West Region standings. UAE side Al Ain, Iran’s Esteghlal and Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal also have six points. Al Ittihad, who drew 1-1 with Qatar’s Al Shamal in the opening round, remained 11th with one point.

Shabab Al Ahli will host Esteghlal Tehran at Rashid Stadium in Dubai on Tuesday, October 27, in their third Asian fixture.