Amir Vaziri headed home the only goal of the game in first-half stoppage time to condemn the hosts to their first loss of the tournament.

The visitors should have taken an eighth-minute lead through Vaziri, but his volley flew just wide.

The Iranian outfit had another chance on the quarter-hour mark but Ebrahim Sadeghi Senjani also shot wide.

Saipa's attacking intent was rewarded in added time when Karim Ansari headed Mohammad Javad Araghi's corner to Vaziri, who nodded in the only goal.

The match continued along the same lines after the interval with Saipa the more dominant, but they suffered a blow on the hour mark when Gholamnejhad was sent off for clashing with Ali Mansour.

Iraq League champions Al Quwa Al Jawiya could not capitalise on their man advantage in the remaining 30 minutes. Rafid Mohammed's free-kick was the best they had to offer.

Saipa could have sealed the win with further chances for Vaziri and substitute Issa Traore. It was not to be, but they had done enough.