Qatar’s Al Duhail recorded their first victory in the 2022 AFC Champions League Group D when they defeated Iran’s Sepahan 1-0 in their second-round match at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Buraidah on Sunday.

Kenyan striker Michael Olunga, the top scorer of 2021-2022 season QNB Stars League, scored the all-important goal in the 84th minute.

Al Duhail had opened their campaign on a losing note as they went down fighting 1-2 against Saudi Arabi’s Al Taawoun.

Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor are the other team in the group.

Sepahan had beaten Pakhtakor in the first round.

Al Duhail held just over 65 per cent of possession in the first half, but despite dominating proceedings and having the bulk of chances, the closest they got to goalmouth action was when Olunga’s shot was blocked after an intelligent piece of play by Edmilson Junior.

Hernan Crespo’s men had their first shot on target two minutes into the second half. Mohamed Hosseini conceded a corner, with Edmilson’s corner finding Bassam Al Rawi whose tame header bounced before keeper Mohamed Mazaheri held it comfortably.

Hosseini missed a golden chance to take the Isfahan-based side ahead, when he dispossessed Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld and made a run for goal before firing wide of the post when one-on-one against the keeper.

Moghanlou came agonisingly close a little before the hour mark, when he charged into the area and managed to chip Salah Zakaria, but his chip was slow and Alderweireld managed to get back in time to clear it off the line.

After Al Duhail’s Nam Tae-Hee came close, Olunga did what he does best to open his account for the campaign. Quiet throughout the game, Almoez Ali played an excellent ball into the area and the Kenyan finished with a diving header to give his side their first three points.