Mahrez strikes as Al Ahli beat Al Wasl to maintain perfect start

Saudi side Al-Ahli maintained their perfect start to the elite Asian Champions League on Monday as goals from Riyad Mahrez and Roger Ibanez sealed a 2-0 win over Al-Wasl.

Qatar’s Al-Sadd beat Iran’s Esteghlal 2-0 as Persepolis and Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor drew 1-1 in Tashkent in the second round of the league stage of the revamped Asian Continental Championship.

Mahrez scored in the third minute in Dubai to give Al-Ahli the lead after skillfully controlling Ibanez’s ball forward, and the pair switched roles seven minutes before the break for the Brazilian to double advance.

The victory moves Al-Ahli to six points from two matches on the western side of the draw after Matthias Jaissle’s side started the campaign with a victory against Iranians Persepolis two weeks ago.

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Al-Sadd claimed their first victory after drawing against defending champions Al-Ain two weeks ago as Felix Sanchez’s side beat Esteghlal.

A poorly timed punch from goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini five minutes before halftime gave Al-Sadd the lead, and Akram Afif’s 68th-minute penalty sealed the victory.

The second round of league stage matches in the western half of the draw continues on Tuesday with Al-Ain traveling to Qatar to face Al-Gharafa. Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal, four-time continental champions, will host Al-Shorta.