TEHRAN, Sep. 19 (MNA) Irans Esteghlal defeated Buriram United of Thailand and booked a place at the AFC Champions League semifinals.
Esteghlal beat Buriram 2-1 at the I-mobile Stadium in Buriram.
Former Salamanca defender Osmar Barba gave a lead the Buriram in the 38th minute. Esteghlal defender Hanif Omranzadeh found back of the net in the 53rd minute with a header.
Esteghlal midfielder Andranik Teymourian scored a spectacular goal in the dying moments of the match.
In the dressing room at half-time I didnt speak about technical matters, I just provided motivation, said Esteghlal coach Amir Ghalenoei in the post match news conference.
I told the players you are Iranian and have 45 minutes and we have to show our honor as Iranians.We recognized some spaces on the pitch and we knew that we could score from corners. The players played very well and as I wanted as they showed their Iranian honor, he added.
Elsewhere, FC Seoul of South Korea defeated Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia and qualified for the semis.
Esteghlal will face the Korean team on September 25 in Seoul. The second leg will be played on October 2.