Doha, August 12 (QNA) - Al Duhail reached the group stage of the AFC Champions League Elite after defeating Iran's Sepahan 3–2 in the match held Tuesday at Khalifa International Stadium as part of the preliminary round qualifying for the group stage of the tournament.

With this result, Al Duhail becomes the 12th team to compete in the West Asia group of the continental championship.

Al Duhail's goals were scored by Ibrahima Bamba, Algerian Adil Boulbina, and Polish Krzysztof Piatek in the 11th, 24th, and 33rd minutes, while Sepahan's goals came from Amin Hazbavi in the 3rd minute and Milad Zakipour in the 90+3rd minute.

The Iranian team surprised the hosts with an early goal, as defender Amin Hazbavi scored in the third minute following a defensive coverage error.

Despite Sepahan's strong start, Al Duhail managed to take control and imposed clear dominance over the match, quickly equalizing through a header by defender Ibrahima Bamba after a corner kick in the 11th minute.

Al Duhail continued to dominate, threatening Sepahan's goal on multiple occasions, until Algerian striker Adil Boulbina scored the second goal after receiving a pass from Brazilian defender Lucas Silva, which he brilliantly controlled and placed into the top of the net in the 24th minute.

Although the Iranian team tried to push forward and exchange attacks, they failed to prevent Al Duhail from scoring a third goal through Polish striker Krzysztof Piątek, who capitalized on a mistake by defender Ehsan Hajsafi and fired a powerful shot into the net in the 33rd minute.

The post denied French player Benjamin Bourigeaud a fourth goal in the 39th minute, while Adil Boulbina missed a one-on-one opportunity after a pass from Edmilson Junior in the final minute of the first half, which ended with Al Duhail leading 3–1.

Sepahan started the second half better than the first, attacking boldly. Kaveh Rezaei nearly scored from a direct free kick, but goalkeeper Salah Zakaria made a brilliant save in the 50th minute, and later denied a header from Arash Reza in the 67th minute.

Al Duhail resumed threatening through quick counterattacks, and Piątek missed a clear chance after receiving a pass from Boulbina inside the box, shooting hastily wide in the 72nd minute.

The referee disallowed a goal by Piatek after a pass from Italian Marco Verratti due to offside in the 79th minute.

In stoppage time, Milad Zakipour scored a consolation goal for the Iranian team after following up on a rebound from the goalkeeper in the 90+3rd minute, but it wasn't enough to prevent Al Duhail from securing a 3–2 victory and qualifying for the group stage. (QNA)