Al Nasr begin Asian Champions League in defeat, losing 2-0 in Sepahan

Ivan Jovanovic's men bottom of Group A after Lokomotiv Tashkent play out 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad.

Iran's Sepahan Hossein Fazeli (R) challenges UAE' al-Nasr Jonathan Pitroipa during their Asian Champions League (AFC) football match at the Foolad Shahr Stadium on February 23, 2016, in the Iranian ciShow more

Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan 2

Pereira 13’, 51’

Al Nasr 0

Al Nasr’s Asian Champions League campaign got off to a losing start on Tuesday as Ivan Jovanovic’s side were beaten 2-0 away at Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan.

It took just 13 minutes for Sepahan to take the lead, a spectacular strike from the Brazilian Luciano Pereira from outside the area that scorched past Ahmad Shambin that wentin off the crossbar.

Any hopes Nasr had of getting back into the match were dashed six minutes into the second half. Pereira netting his side’s second with the simplest of headers with question marks over some suspect Nasr defending.

The defeat leaves Nasr bottom of Group A after Uzbekistan’s Lokomotiv Tashkent played out a 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad.

Despite boasting new signings Ramires and Alex Teixeira, Chinese club Jiangsu Suning was held to a 1-1 draw by Vietnamese team Binh Duong in the opening match of the Asian Champions League.

The Brazilian internationals showed flashes of skill on their debuts but struggled to break down their opponents in the Group E match.

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Jiangsu took the lead in the 13th minute when former Manchester City striker Jo created the opener for Ji Xiang. Nguyen Ahn Duc equalised for Binh Duong from the penalty spot 15 minutes later.

Ramires, recently signed from Chelsea, went close with a first-half volley.

The Vietnamese team were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half but held on to take a point.

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Also in Group E, FC Tokyo lost at South Korean champion Jeonbuk Motors 2-1 as veteran striker Lee Dong-gook scored the winning goal.

Another Chinese club, Shandong Luneng, came back from a goal down to win 2-1 at Japanese champion Sanfrecce Hiroshima in Group F. Brazil striker Diego Tardelli scored the winning goal with 12 minutes remaining. Kohei Shimizu had put the hosts ahead in the 64th minute with Yang Xu quickly equalising for the Chinese team.

FC Seoul took first place in Group F with a 6-0 win at Thai club Buriram United. Brazilian striker Adriano scored four on his debut in the tournament.

In Group A, Uzbek club Lokomotiv Tashkent held two-time champion Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia to a 1-1 draw.

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