By IANS
New Delhi : Striker Mahmoud Karimi scored a goal in each half to help steer Iranian side Sepahan to a 3-1 victory against Al Wahda of the United Arab Emirates in the first leg of their AFC Champions League semi-final clash at Foolad Shahr Stadium in the Iranian city of Esfahan.
In Wedneday night’s other semi-final meeting, the honours were even in the battle between the league champions of Korea and Japan as Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma and Urawa Reds played out a pulsating in Seongnam, South Korea, according to the AFC website.
Trailing to an 11th minute opener by Mota, J. League champions Urawa fought back to take the lead with goals by Tatsuya Tanaka and Robson Ponte after the break. However, Kim Do-heon struck nine minutes from time to ensure that K-League champions Seongnam will travel to Japan for the return match Oct 24 on level terms.
In Iran, Karimi gave his side the lead after 11 minutes and restored their advantage with his second just before the hour mark after Mohamed Al Shehhi had levelled the score early in the second half for an Al Wahda side who played for nearly an hour with 10 men after defender Yasser Abdullah was sent off.
Sepahan skipper Moharram Navidkia added a third from the penalty spot in the closing minutes to give the Hazfi Cup holders a two-goal advantage going into the second leg in Abu Dhabi.