TEHRAN, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Qatar's Al Duhail notched a narrow 1-0 win over Persepolis of Iran in the first leg of the 2018 AFC Champions League quarter-finals at the Khalifa International Stadium on Tuesday.
Al Duhail nearly seized the initiative early on with front man Youssef El Arabi narrowly failing to connect with Nam Tae-hee's header across the goalmouth in the fourth minute.
In the 15th minute, the home side broke the deadlock through young striker Ali. Summer signing Edmilson sent in a teasing cross from the left and the unmarked Ali headed in with aplomb to get his second goal of the tournament.
Persepolis then came close to equalising in the 23rd minute, but Omid Alishah's effort flew just wide of Amine Lecomte's goal.
Both teams failed to muster further clear-cut chances until halftime and a similar theme also ensued in the second half. Both teams will meet in Tehran for the second leg on Sept. 17.
