Zobahan beat holders Pohang Steelers 2-1 in the first leg of their AFC Champions League quarter-final in Esfahan, setting up a mouth-watering clash for next week’s return clash in Korea Republic.

Brazilian attacker Igor Castro put the hosts ahead at Foolad Shahr Stadium with a close-range strike in the 18th minute, while compatriot Mota equalised in the 56th minute with a sweet 20-yard strike.

Former Iran forward Mahdi Rajabzadeh blasted the winner from the penalty spot in the 76th minute after a foul on the livewire Castro.

Zobahan, currently leading the Iran Pro League after winning six of their first eight matches, delighted the home fans by taking the lead early on in a hard-fought contest.

Centre-back Farshid Talebi headed back a right-wing corner into the danger zone, where strapping forward Mohammad Ghazi headed toward goal and Castro hooked in the loose ball after Pohang’s defence failed to clear.

Pohang central midfielder Kim Tae-su went close with a header in the 22nd minute as Zobahan held onto their lead till the break.

The Steelers looked comfortable in possession and drew level through a great piece of individual skill by Mota, one of Pohang’s pre-season signings.

Shin Hyung-min’s right-wing cross was headed clear by centre-back Mohammad Ahmadi but only beyond the edge of the box, where Mota took one touch with his right foot before blasting a half-volley inside the right post with his left.

In the 65th minute, Ghazi found himself on goal after a rapid Zobahan counterattack, but after cutting inside, his shot was excellently blocked by the back-tracking Kim Jae-sung.

Two minutes later, Rajabzadeh found Talebi with a left-wing free-kick, but the big defender could only head the ball straight on past the far post.

Pohang captain Kim Hyung-il clumsily missed a through ball in the 72nd minute, but the centre-back recovered quickly to deny opposing skipper Ghasem Hadadifar.

Just minutes later, Zobahan were awarded a penalty when Castro chased a through ball in the area and went down following a needless challenge by left-back Jung Hong-youn.

Despite having to wait for Pohang to make a substitution while the ball was on the penalty spot, the experienced Rajabzadeh – who returned to Zobahan over the summer – confidently blasted his shot into the roof of the net.

Pohang twice came close to equalising in the dying minutes. In the first minute of stoppage time, substitute Hwang Jin-sung ran onto a ball on the corner of the six-yard box, but his effort was saved by goalkeeper Shahab Gordan.

A minute later, a right-wing cross bounced through to Mota on the far side of the area and the 30-year-old struck the bouncing ball cleanly but only into the side netting.

Pohang, who have won the continent’s top club prize a record three times after also winning the former Asian Club Championship twice, will host the second leg at the Steelyard Stadium next Wednesday.

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