Iran’s Persepolis were in a class of their own at Azadi stadium as they defeated Uzbek FC Nasaf to open their 2018 AFC Champions League Group C campaign on a high note on Tuesday.
The 2017 semi-finalists took the lead early 20 minutes in when Nigerian forward Godwin Mensha headed home Vahid Amiri’s cross from the right flank to put Persepolis in front at the half-time break.
After the restart, striker Ali Alipour netted a brace to round off the Iranians’ triumph. First, he collected a pass from right-back Sadegh Moharrami and fired with venom into the top corner from inside the box in the 66th minute.
Alipour added his second of the night five minutes later, this time finding space inside Nasaf’s box to receive a squared pass from the left by Mohammad Ansari and driving it low with his left foot into the back of the net to complete a 3-0 win.
Persepolis will travel to Qatar to face Al Sadd on Matchday Two while Nasaf host Emirati side Al Wasl.
