Iran Pro League champions Saipa scored a goal in each half to defeat Al Wasl 2-0 in their second Group B match at the Enghelab Stadium on Wednesday.
Saipa took a timely lead on the stroke of half-time through Issa Traore and Karim Ansari added a second early in the second half.
The hosts could have taken the lead in the 11th minute but Milad Zandipour's 30-yard free-kick was punched clear by Al Wasl goalkeeper Majed Naser.
The first half seemed destined to end in deadlock until Saipa took the lead seconds before the break. A cross from Milad Zandipour was cleared by Abdulla Essa but only as far as Mali midfielder Traore, who made no mistake from close range.
Saipa had the ball in the net again in the 52nd minute but Ansari's powerful shot from inside the box was ruled out for offside.
Ansari was not to be denied and minutes later he ran on to a long ball and fired a ferocious shot past Naser.
The visitors had another goal ruled out for offside in the 86th minute after Vaziri netted Omid Sharifi's cross.
The hosts could have taken the lead in the 11th minute but Milad Zandipour's 30-yard free-kick was punched clear by Al Wasl goalkeeper Majed Naser.
The first half seemed destined to end in deadlock until Saipa took the lead seconds before the break. A cross from Milad Zandipour was cleared by Abdulla Essa but only as far as Mali midfielder Traore, who made no mistake from close range.
Saipa had the ball in the net again in the 52nd minute but Ansari's powerful shot from inside the box was ruled out for offside.
Ansari was not to be denied and minutes later he ran on to a long ball and fired a ferocious shot past Naser.
The visitors had another goal ruled out for offside in the 86th minute after Vaziri netted Omid Sharifi's cross.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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