Mar 22, 2006
afcchampionsleague.com

ALEPPO – Syrian double winners Al Ittihad claimed their first point in this year's AFC Champions League after holding Iranian league champions Foolad to a goalless draw at the Al Hamdania Stadium on Wednesday.

To see Group A results and standings click here.

The reigning Iran Pro League champions were in emphatic form in the Group A opener two weeks ago as Nenad Nikolic's side hammered six with out reply against Kuwait's Al Qadisiya on the same day the Syrians went down 2-0 to Pakhtakor in Tashkent.

However, the Syrian side shut down the Iranian forwards and the home side had the upper hand in the game while Foolad failed to emulate their resounding victory in Matchday One.

The first chance of the game came midway through the opening 45 minutes when Mahmoud Al Amna had a one-on-one chance with Iranian goalkeeper Ebrahim Mirzapour but he hesitated and the custodian did enough to clear the danger.

Minutes later, Foolad’s Iraqi striker Emad Mohammed should have opened the scoring but his shot went wide while Yihya Al Rached tested Mirzapour with a powerful shot to end as the first half ended scoreless.

In the second half, Al Ittihad were the better side but they failed to threaten Mirzapour or the Iranian defence, much to the disappointment of the home side’s fans who filled Al Hamadania stadium in Aleppo.

Despite the draw, Foolad remain at the top of the standings but their leadership is threatened as the other group hopefuls Pakhtakor, who edged Al Ittihad two weeks ago, will take on Al Qadisiya later on Matchday Two.