Al Nasr fall to 2-0 AFC Champions League defeat at hands of Sepahan

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  • Nasr once again failed to make an impact in the AFCCL.

    The Blue Wave exited at the group stage during their previous entries in 2012 and 2013. They already face an uphill struggle to better this record, a meak display at a bleak Foolad Shahr Stadium being punished by Brazilian striker Chimba’s fine brace.

    The 32-year-old struck in both halves, smashing in an eye-catching opener from distance before making no mistake with a header from close range.

    His efforts ended an appalling 11-match winless run for the reigning Persian Gulf Pro League champions and also made it five victories in five meetings for the Yellow Lions against Tuesday’s opposition in the ACL.

    The result extended a worrying downwards trend for Nasr, who have now triumphed in just one of their last six fixtures. They will need to snap back to life on Saturday if their President’s Cup defence isn’t to falter at the first hurdle against Sharjah.

    Nasr began in a daze, the decision to ditch disappointing Brazilian striker Nilmar not being rewarded. They had already survived an early penalty appeal as midfielder Amer Mubarak appeared to trip Iran Under-23 winger Hossein Fazeli by the time Chimba put them ahead on 13 minutes.

    The former Foolad front man took advantage of being granted too much space 30 yards out, smashing in an effort off the underside of the crossbar. Nasr could not wake from their slumber and they were two-goals down before the hour mark, Chimba nodding in a Fazeli cross.

    A weak Mahmoud Khamis free-kick was the third-placed Arabian Gulf League-side’s only effort of note, with fine interventions from centre-backs Ali Al Ameri and Khalifah Mubarak later twice denying Chimba a hat-trick.

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