AFC Champions League: Sepahan's Dominance in First Step - 2004-02-10

In the first step of the AFC Champions League, Sepahan Steel of Isfahan decisively defeated Uzbekistan's Neftchi. According to the Iran Sports News Agency (IPNA), the Iranian football representative in the AFC Champions League overcame their opponent with a score of four goals. The first half of the match ended with a one-goal lead for Sepahan, with Mahmoud Karimi scoring the only goal of the half in the 44th minute, rewarding Sepahan for their attacks. At the start of the second half, Sepahan's players, focusing on penetrating Neftchi's defensive line, broke through the Uzbek defense again. Mahmoud Karimi scored his second goal in the 57th minute. Neftchi players, having lost hope of earning points in this match, appeared very flawed and weak thereafter. Sepahan continued their organized attacks, and in the 62nd minute, Seyed Salehi, who had performed well, scored the third goal. Four minutes later, Salehi, like Karimi, scored for the second time. In the end, Sepahan finished the match with the same score, having the opportunity to increase their goal tally further, marking a strong first step in their Asian campaign.