DUBAI (Dispatches) - UAE side Shabab Al-Ahli made the best start in their history with a third consecutive home victory, beating Iran’s Esteghlal 2–0 on Tuesday in the third round of the AFC Champions League Elite.
Brazilian substitutes Thomas Lima (69) and Juan Bizera (84) scored the goals for Shabab Al-Ahli, who secured their third successive win to reach nine points and second place in the group, level on points with compatriots Al-Ain but ahead on goal difference.
Esteghlal, who suffered their first defeat after two wins, provisionally dropped to fourth place with six points.
Shabab Al-Ahli had never won their first three matches in a continental campaign under either the old or new format of the competition. They became the fourth UAE team to achieve the feat, following Al-Ain, who did so twice in the 2003 and 2023–24 editions, Al-Wahda in 2007 and Al-Jazira in 2012.
Shabab Al-Ahli also continued their strong record against Esteghlal, having beaten them 2–1 and drawn 1–1 in the 2017 edition.
The UAE league runners-up entered the match buoyed by their opening victories over Iran’s Tractor, 1–0, and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad, 2–1. They were the better side and created more chances, and could have won by a larger margin had they not come up against an outstanding performance from Esteghlal goalkeeper Habib Far Abbasi.
Abbasi dealt expertly with a one-on-one chance for Mohammad Jomaa in the 10th minute before making a similar save against Iranian player Sardar Azmoun in the 14th minute.
The hosts maintained their superiority, with advancing defender Kwon Santos shooting just wide of the post in the 22nd minute.
Azmoun passed to Jomaa, who shot wide despite having a clear opportunity in the 30th minute. Abbasi was again in the spotlight in the 51st minute, saving a shot from Brazilian player Bruno Cascardo.
Shabab Al-Ahli finally broke through when substitute Lima, who had replaced Jomaa, took advantage of a pass from Azmoun to score in the 69th minute.
Substitutions by Brazilian coach André Jardine once again made the difference. Argentine substitute Federico Cartabia set up fellow substitute Bizera in the 84th minute, allowing the winger, who joined from Egypt’s Zamalek in September, to score his first goal for his new club.